The average percentage of positive tests for all counties was 0.09, which 

 is the lowest attained during the 21 -year testing period. The majority 

 of the 478 positive tests was confined to one flock. Five counties, Barn- 

 stable, Essex, Hampshire, Plymouth, and Worcester, had no reactors 

 among their tested flocks. Barnstable, Essex, and Plymouth Counties 

 have had no reactors for two successive years and Hampshire County has 

 had no reactors for three successive years. 



The following breeds and varieties were tested: Bantam, Barnevelder, 

 Barred Plymouth Rock, Black Australorp, Brahmas, Brown Leghorn, Buff 

 Orpington, Buff Plymouth Rock, Chantecler, Columbian Rock, Cornish, 

 Golden Laced Wyandotte, New Hampshire, Rhode Island Red, Silver 

 Laced Wyandotte, White American, White Leghorn, White Plymouth 

 Rock, White Wyandotte, and Cross-breeds. The Rhode Island Red and 

 Barred Plymouth Rock are the predominating breeds. Two reactors were 

 detected in each of the New Hampshire and White Leghorn breeds. 



Of the total number of samples tested, 490,759 (hens 48,964, pullets 

 441,795) were from females and 47,830 from males. Of these, 0.08 of the 

 females and 0.17 percent of the males were positive. The higher percentage 

 of reactors among the males is of interest, although it is difficult to eval- 

 uate this difference because both percentages are so small. It is evident, 

 however, that males must be considered in a testing and eradication pro- 

 gram if the infection is to be completely eliminated. 



Testing of Fowl Other Than Chickens 



A total of 4,417 samples collected from fowl other than chickens wa^ 

 tested for pullorum disease. The species tested included turkeys (4,259 

 tests), pheasants (115), guinea fowl (22), geese (13), ducks (5), and 

 quail (3). 



Seven reacting birds were detected in 3 of the 32 turkey flocks tested, 

 but in only one instance was the causative organism of pullorum disease 

 isolated. The testing history revealed that this infected bird was purchased 

 from an out-of-state source. Whether or not the infection originated out 

 of state could not be ascertained. No reactors were detected among the 

 other fowl. These findings point out that pullorum infection is rare among 

 turkey breeding flocks in Massachusetts. However, the fact that infected 

 birds are detected indicates the necessity of testing breeding flocks. Pul- 

 lorum-eradication measures recommended for chickens arc applicable for 

 turkey flocks. 



During the past year, 4,104 turkey blood samples were tested for para- 

 typhoid infection. The macroscopic tube agglutination method was em- 

 ployed. The technique was similar to that of the pullorum test except 

 that an autogenous antigen of 6". typhi-murium was used. While infected birds 

 can be detected by such a procedure, the method can not be relied upon 

 to eliminate the infection to the degree accomplished in pullorum-disease 

 testing. Paratyphoid infection is a serious problem in some flocks. Own- 

 ers of flocks that are apparently free of this infection should be cautious 

 in introducing new stock. According to our present knowledge, turkey 

 flocks tested for paratyphoid disease may not be free of the infection even 

 though no reactors are found. 



