PULLORUM DISEASE 



in the majority of breaks. Through annual testing the infection is detected and 

 eliminated before it has an opportunity to cause great losses. Therefore, annual 

 testing is necessary to determine, from year to year, the status of the flock in 

 regard to this disease. 



Table 1. Appearance of Pullorum Infection in Previously 



NONREACTING FlOCKS* 

 (Classified according to number of consecutive years nonreacting) 



♦Refer to Questions SO and 94. 



51. At what age may birds be tested? Reactors have been detected among 

 chicks as young as seven days of age. However, infected chicks do not all react 

 at this age. Birds will show a larger percentage of reactors if tested between 

 four and twelve weeks of age than if tested when younger. On the other hand, 

 some young birds detected as reactors may become negative towards maturity. 

 Since this disease will be disseminated as long as infected birds are present, the 

 purpose should be to eliminate the majority if not all of the infected birds at the 

 earliest practical age. Birds three to four months of age may be tested success- 

 fully. The National Poultry Improvement Plan stipulates that birds five months 

 or older must be tested. 



52. Should birds attain egg production before they are tested? It is advisable 

 from an eradication point of view to eliminate the infected birds before they 

 attain egg production in order to prevent the spread of the disease through the 

 eating of infective eggs laid by diseased birds. Furthermore, elimination of 

 infected birds at an early age will also prevent dissemination by other means 

 common in a diseased flock. 



53. Can birds be tested on range? Birds may be successfully tested on range 

 provided suitable facilities are available. Range testing is recommended for 

 infected flocks so that the bulk of the infection will not be moved into the laying 

 quarters where the birds are more congested and there is greater opportunit\- for 

 spread of the disease. 



