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Flock owners who are in a position to test part or all of their flocks before 

 October, can help to relieve the testing load during the peak months. Split- 

 fiock testing is not recommended ordinarily because of the danger that untested 

 birds may find their way into pens of tested birds. However, if the plant is so 

 arranged and managed that this danger can be eliminated, it should be safe to 

 test parts of the flock as they become eligible for the test. For official recognition 

 birds should not be tested before five months of age. It is hoped that flock owners 

 who are in position to test early will cooperate with the laboratory and test 

 whatever birds can be safely tested. Early testing is especially indicated if in- 

 fection is expected in the flock so that plans for eliminating the disease can be 

 made ahead of the hatching season. 



Prevention of Pullorum Infection: The identification ot pullorum infection 

 in stock from supposedly free sources has caused much concern this past year. 

 It is apparent that there has been an increase in the spread of the disease this 

 past year. The sources of infection are the same as we have always recognized; 

 but the flock owner, hatcheryman, feed man, etc., have had too heavy a load to 

 carry without getting into difificulty. Some of the fundamental disease prevention 

 principles have had to be neglected or ignored with the result that infection was 

 permitted to spread. It is appreciated that labor difificulties, scarcities of material 

 and equipment, etc., have contributed to inadequate or faulty management 

 which in turn has led to the introduction of infection. It is hoped that all agencies 

 concerned with raising poultry will make an honest effort to help avoid the intro- 

 duction of the disease. 



Publication of this Document Approved by Commission on Administration and Finance 

 3m 7-44-14731 P 



