18 P.D. 123 



classes of poultry flocks in the state that the department supervises and 

 identifies for the purpose of providing reliable sources of healthy, high-quality 

 stock, and to enable the producers of such stock to be properly identified. The 

 pullorum disease-free grades are known as Massachusetts Pullorum Passed 

 and Massachusetts Pullorum Clean. The Massachusetts Pullorum Passed grade 

 allows for the listing of flocks which are officially tested by the Massachusetts 

 State College Veterinary Department and are found 100% free from this 

 disease. Names and addresses of owners of these flocks were prepared and 

 distributed. 



Massachusetts Pullorum Clean grade is the next higher grade which calls 

 for two consecutive tests, similar to the Pullorum Passed Test. The total 

 number of non-reacting flocks for the past season was 289 (100% tested), 

 according to the Massachusetts State College, Department of Veterinai-y 

 Science. 



Poultry Certification: 16 breeders throughout the state had their flocks 

 supervised by the department. Each bird was individually inspected and 

 banded, provided that it met the grade requirements for freedom from pul- 

 lorum disease. Likewise, these birds had to show health, vigor, productive 

 capacity and reasonable freedom from standard disqualifications. At least 

 two visits were made during the hatching season of 1939 for the purpose of 

 checking the size of hatching eggs, set by the breeders. If the grade require- 

 ments are satisfied the flocks are then officially recognized as being Massa- 

 chusetts Certified Pullorum Clean. 



Record of Performance. This year 16 breeders met the requirements of 

 the grade known as Massachusetts Record of Performance Pullorum Clean. 

 These flocks must meet the requirements of the Massachusetts Certified Pul- 

 lorum Clean Grade. In addition, unannounced inspections are made of these 

 flocks throughout the year. The inspector at this time takes charge of the 

 trapnests, the records, and checks for accuracy. Such additional information 

 as number of birds in breeding pens, pedigree eggs set, chicks hatched and 

 stock sold, is filed with the department. Private advertisements of the 

 breeders are also checked and approved. In order to retain the fine reputation 

 enjoyed by Massachusetts breeders many state, sectional and national meet- 

 ings are attended in the interests of our R.O.P. program. Circulars are pre- 

 pared and published in which these high quality products of the Massachusetts 

 poultry industry are advertised. The department also prepares an annual 

 summary of the breeding work connected with the various flocks under the 

 supervision of the state. 



The following is a brief summary of the results obtained by our R.O.P. 

 breeders for the 1938-39 season: 



Number of birds entered under R.O.P. supervision 8,013 



Number of birds passed under R.O.P. supervision 3,990 



Average production of all birds passing under R.O.P. supervision 247.07 



Average egg weights of all birds passing under R.O.P. supervision 25.72 



Average body weights of all birds passing under R.O.P. supervision 5.95 lbs. 



Number of Pedigree Pens 257 



Poultry Tattooing. The program for tattooing has been continued during 

 the past year. This program is carried on in connection with the Poultry 

 Transportation Law which is a check on thieving. There has been distributed 

 to date 701 tattooing outfits. Poulti*y flocks are coded and the State Police 

 receive a copy of the number assigned to each poultryman. Should tattooed 

 birds be stolen the police are notified. In this manner stolen poultry can be 

 identified either through the police department, or the State Department of 

 Agriculture. 



Poultry Tra7isportation. Law. During the past year 576 licenses have been 

 issued to persons and firms regularly engaged in the business of transporting 

 poultry over the highways. The. purpose of this law is to check the buying. 



