-11- 



and failed to receive official recognition. Flock owners should recognize that 

 partial flock testing does not reveal the true status of a flock and therefore is not 

 a sound procedure in establishing or maintaining pullorum-free flocks. 



During the past few years split-flock testing has been very common, since re- 

 placement stock is being raised throughout the year. Flock owners are urged to 

 have all birds tested at five months of age or before they are used for hatching 

 purposes. Hatching from untested birds may lead to serious trouble even though 

 the previous history of the flock may have been negative for puUorum disease. 



The nature of the industry is such that the majority of the replacement stock 

 is hatched during the late winter and spring of the year. This means that the 

 majority of birds become eligible for testing in late summer and fall. The ten- 

 dency for flock owners to have their flocks tested during late fall and early 

 winter creates a congested period in our testing program which is extremely 

 difficult to meet satisfactorily. Hence, flock owners are urged to have their 

 flocks tested as soon as the birds become five months of age. This will level off 

 the high peak in testing and permit the laboratory to meet the testing demands. 



The following summary lists the volume of tests by months: 



Months Number of Tests 



April, 1951 51,076 



May 59,793 



June 64,848 



July 97.706 



August 117,061 



September 173,317 



October 214,865 



November 192,803 



December 163,086 



January 173,334 



February 52,591 



March 41,090 



April 4,911 



Total 1,406,481 



Flock owners should file their applications with the department in ample time 

 to make satisfactory plans for testing. The number of birds to be tested should 

 be stated as accurately as possible, and a sufficient deposit should be submitted 

 to cover the testing service. Flock owners should not expect short notice service 

 because routing schedules are made three weeks in advance of the testing opera- 

 tions. Therefore, flock owners are urged to cooperate to the fuUest extent in 

 planning the testing dates in order that the most efficient service may be given. 



Publication of this Document Approved by George J Cronin, State Purchasing Agent 

 3000-7-52-907580 



