TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OF PULLORUM 



DISEASE ERADICATION IN MASSACHUSETTS 



1943-1944 



By the Poultry Disease Control Laboratory i 



Introduction 



During tiie 1943-44 season a marked interest was shown in pullorum testing. 

 This is largely attributed to the increased demand for poultry meat and eggs 

 which must be supplied either directly or indirectly by the breeding flocks. With 

 the expansion of the poultry industry through additional and larger flocks, the 

 educational work has exerted a beneficial influence in helping to establish pullo- 

 rum-free flocks. When the poultry industry readjusts itself to normal conditions, 

 it is hoped that flock owners will continue to realize that a profitable industry can 

 be maintained only with healthy stock. It should be recognized further that the 

 development of pullorum disease-free stock is not an "overnight" accomplish- 

 ment; and therefore, once a disease-free flock is established every effort should be 

 made to maintain it in that condition over a period of years. It is hoped that 

 the progress in reducing the percentage of infection during the twenty-four year 

 period from 12.5 to 0.11 percent may continue. This will require the cooperative 

 effort of all agencies interested in the poultry industry, including the individual 

 flock owner. Pullorum disease eradication is an essential and vital part of a 

 profitable industry. 



During the past season the task of meeting the large volume of testing was not 

 easy. Laboratory facilities and personnel have been under a great strain. The 

 flock owners also experienced difficulties in procuring help to assist with the 

 collecting of the blood samples. In spite of these handicaps very few flock owners 

 have had their testing delayed. Appreciation is extended to the flock owners for 

 the fine cooperation given. 



Sununary of Service Rendered 



Applications received 474 



Applications cancelled 12 



Flocks tested 462 



Chicken flocks 403 



Chicken and turkey flocks 10 



Turkey flocks 49 



Number of tests 808,845 



Chickens: 



Routine 788,989 



Experimental 2,607 



Fowl other than chickens: 



Routine 13,186 



Experim.ental 4,063 



Owners receiving necropsy service 17* 



Necropsies of reacting birds 53** 



♦Includes 2 turkey flocks **Includes 3 turkeys 



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

 Assistant Veterinary Pathologist; O. S. Flint, 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. 



