PULLORUM DISEASE 9 



12. — May adult birds contract the disease by eating fresh eggs laid 

 by infected hens? Yes. Investigations have shown that birds may contract 

 the (Hsease by eating infective fresh eggs. In some flocks one frequently observes 

 birds that have formed a habit of egg-eating. This habit may have been ac- 

 quired as a result of birds laying the eggs on the floor or dropping board. At 

 present the most important means of spread among adult flocks appears to be 

 through eating infective fresh eggs. 



Photograph 8. — An ovum (abnormal in color, size ,and shape) was found in an infer- 

 tile egg which contained an apparently normal yolk. Note the dark peduncle which was 

 its means of attachment to the ovary. S. pullorum was isolated from the amber colored, 

 caseated contents of this ovum. Enlarged 2x. Refer to question 9. 



13. — Can the disease be transmitted through the egg? Yes. Infective 



eggs used for hatching purposes transmit the disease to the chicks. Feeding of 

 infective eggs to chicks will infect them. 



14. — How does the disease affect young chicks? The disease may mani- 

 fest itself within a few days after hatching. The following symptoms may be 

 observed: depressed vigor, loss of appetite, a tendency to remain under the 

 hover, frequent cheeping, droopy wings, shortened bodies, pasting of the vent 



