TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF PULLORUM DISEASE 

 ERADICATION IN MASSACHUSETTS 



1942-1943 



By the Poultry Disease Control Laboratoryi 



INTRODUCTION 



The poultry industry in ?]1 its phases has been directly and markedly affected 

 by conditions brought on by the war. In pullorum disease testing, the demand 

 for testing has increased in some states while in others no perceptible change or 

 even a decrease has been observed. In Massachusetts, the demand for testing 

 has decreased during the past season which is attributed in part to the shortage 

 of labor and to the great demand for chicks regardless of whether or not they 

 were from officially tested flocks. 



It is unfortunate that a state control and eradication program does not receive 

 full emphasis in a time when increased production is requested. Some flocks, 

 ordinarily used for meat and egg production, are now being mated for breeding 

 purposes. The pullorum status of such flocks should first be determined. Like- 

 wise, some flocks that have been used for breeding purposes on a small scale have 

 increased their output and distribution of stock with littl§ or no regard for official 

 pullorum testing. 



Massachusetts flock owners have built up an enviable reputation for freedom 

 from pullorum disease during the past ten years. It is to be hoped that flock 

 owners who have found it necessary to drop pullorum testing or flock owners 

 who for the first time have had breeding flocks which were not tested, will realize 

 that a sound program cannot be built on disease hazards. 



The increased demand for stock from other states, especially from the broiler 

 growing centers, is in a great measure due to the fine quality of stock that has 

 been developed through breeding and pullorum eradication by the stable breeders 

 in the State. To them credit is due for the progress that has been made in pullo- 

 rum disease eradication in Massachusetts. It is hoped that flock owners who 

 have recently entered or plan to enter into a breeding program will not ignore 

 official pullorum disease testing. In this manner pullorum disease dissemination 

 will be further reduced and also give purchasers more sources from which to 

 bu3' pullorum-free stock. The replacing of flocks with pullorum-free stock is an 

 effective and in the riiajority of instances the most economical way of eliminating 

 the disease. 



Appreciation is again extended to the various agencies that have given direct 

 or indirect assistance to pullorum disease eradication. It should be emphasized 

 that the necessity for the dissemination of reliable information at the appropriate 

 time cannot be ignored in this program. Various agencies such as the Massachu- 

 setts Department of Agriculture, State and County "Extension Services, feed 

 dealers, and other service agencies that make direct or indirect contact with the 

 flock owners, can be of great aid to the eradication program. The flock owner 

 should be informed that the main burden of eradication rests on his shoulders 

 but that this burden will be greatly lessened if certain effective measures are 

 followed. 



^Poultry Disease Control Laboratory Staff: H. Van Roekel, Chief of Laboratory; K. L. Bullis, 

 Assistant Vcteiinary Pathologist; O. S. Fhnt, Assistant Research Professor; Miriam K. Clarke, 

 Research Assistant; Felicia Jewett, Laboratory Assistant. Appreciation is extended to Dr. J. B. 

 Lentz, Head of the Department of Veterinary Science, for the assistance given to the testing work. 



