-5- 



DISTRIBUTION OF TESTS AND REACTORS 



Table 1 reveals that 1,370,430 samples were received from chicken flocks in 

 12 counties. The percentage of positive tests was 0.016, the lowest on record. 

 Middlesex, Worcester, and Plymouth lead in the number of samples tested. It 

 is encouraging to note that no reactors were detected in Barnstable, Berkshire, 

 Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Hampshire, and Plymouth Counties. In the remaining 

 five counties, with the exception of two, the number of reactors was six or less. 

 These results indicate that puUorum disease is gradually being eliminated. 



The following breeds were tested: Bantam, Barred Plymouth Rock, Brahma, 

 Columbian, Cornish, Crosses, Delaware, Eisenbar, Jersey White Giant, New 

 Hampshire, Rhode Island Red, White American, White Leghorn, White Plymouth 

 Rock, Wyandottes (Silver Laced, White). 



During the past year the White Plymouth Rock breed has become very 

 prominent in Massachusetts. At the present time the Rhode Island Red, New 

 Hampshire, Barred Plymouth Rock, and White Plymouth Rock are the pre- 

 dominating breeds. Of the total samples, 26.62 per cent were taken from Rhode 

 Island Red, 29.65 per cent from New Hampshire, 19.80 per cent from Barred 

 Plymouth Rock, 17.09 per cent from White Plymouth Rock, and the remainder 

 from other breeds tested. Of the 1,244,223 samples coUected from females, 45,118 

 were from hens and 1,199,105 from pullets, with 0.00 and 0.017 per cent reactors, 

 respectively. The 126,207 samples collected from the males gave 0.011 per cent 

 positive tests. 



ANNUAL TESTING OF FLOCKS 



Table 2 lists the results from flocks tested (1) for the first time, (2) inter- 

 mittently, (3) for two consecutive years, and (4) for three or more consecutive 

 years. 



It is of interest to note that the flocks tested in the first three groups revealed 

 jio reactors. These three groups included 94 flocks, representing 187,967 birds. 

 All but 10 flocks in these groups were 100 per cent tested. The average number 

 of birds per flock for the respective groups is as foUows: first year, 1,685; inter- 

 mittent, 1,566; and two consecutive years, 2,545. 



Table 2. Annual Testing Versus Single and Intermittent Testing 



