Annual Testing of Flocks 



Table 2 shows results from flocks tested lor the first time, intermittently, 

 for two consecutive years, and for three or more consecutive years. The 

 group tested for three or more consecutive years is the largest. The per- 

 centage of reactors in the different groups is of interest. The flocks tested 

 for the first time showed the greatest amount of infection; those tested for 

 two consecutive years revealed no reactors; those tested for three or more 

 consecutive years revealed 0.08 percent infection which included one flock 

 in which 275 reactors were detected. 



Among the 210 flocks tested for three or more consecutive years, 206 

 were non-reacting and represented 405,151 birds (77 percent of all birds 

 tested). All birds on the premises were tested in 84 percent of the flocks. 

 Of the total birds tested, 88 percent were in 100 percent tested, non-react- 

 ing flocks. 



Table 2. Annual Testing Versus Single and Intermittent Testing 



These results show that owners who test their flocks annually are more 

 successful in maintaining a non-reacting flock than those who do not test 

 annually. Flock owners who follow a definite testing and an effective 

 preventive program may expect to develop and maintain a non-reacting 

 flock more readily than flock owners with little or no knowledge of pul- 

 lorum-disease eradication and prevention. 



Annual testing of all birds on the premises is necessary to determine 

 the true status of a flock. Because sources of pullorum infection still 

 exist in the State, pullorum-clean flocks are constantly subject to the 

 possibility of infection. Flock owners should realize this fact and be on 

 their guard constantly to prevent the introduction of infection. 



Owners of infected flocks should replace thei r stock with purchases 

 from known pullorum-clean sources. Massachusetts has a sufficient sup- 

 ply of pullorum-clean stock for flock replacements. Flock owners should 

 not test their flocks unless with a definite objective in mind. Haphazard 

 testing is profitable neither to the owner nor to the testing program. 



