PULLORUM DISEASE 29 



88. Do terms such as "tested stock," "100 percent clean," "state tested," 

 "triple A" mean freedom from pullorum disease? Such terms are indefinite and 

 misleading in regard to the pullorum disease standing of a flock. The terms 

 "tested stock" and "state tested" do not inform the reader about the particular 

 disease and the results of the test. The term "100 percent clean" does not state 

 the disease in question. The label "triple A" does not necessarily mean that the 

 stock is free from pullorum infection. This miscellaneous terminology which is 

 used loosely has misled the uninformed buyer. The terms alone do not have any 

 meaning and cause considerable confusion. Therefore, one should investigate 

 carefully the significance of such indefinite terms. 



89. Who can assist in determining the validity of the advertisement? In 



Massachusetts, the State Department of Agriculture is able to assist in checking 

 the validity of claims in advertisements. In other states, the official State agency 

 should be consulted. 



90. Are the tested flocks in Massachusetts classified according to their 

 pullorum disease status? Flocks that have qualified for certain breeding and 

 testing requirements are eligible for certification. The Massachusetts Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture has established two grades of pullorum disease-free flocks: 

 "Massachusetts Pullorum Passed" flocks are those in which all birds over five 

 months of age have been tested and revealed no reactors; "Massachusetts Pullo- 

 rum Clean" flocks are those in which no evidence of pullorum disease has been 

 found by two consecutive approved agglutination tests, made of 100 percent of 

 the poultry on the premises over five months of age, not less than six months 

 apart, the last test having been made within the testing season immediately 

 preceding date of sale of hatching eggs, baby chicks, or breeding stock from such 

 flocks. Flocks are certified for one year only and in order to retain their official 

 status, they must be 100 percent tested annually with no reactors. Copies of 

 testing results of all tested flocks are submitted to the certifying agency by the 

 testing laboratory. The two agencies operate independently. 



91. Where may information concerning official pullorum grades be obtained? 



Inquiries concerning official pullorum grades should be submitted to the Massa- 

 chusetts Department of Agriculture, State House, Boston, Massachusetts. 



92. How should tested flocks be classified as to their pullorum disease 

 status? Tested flocks in reality are either infected or pullorum disease-free. 

 However, in a disease of this nature, it is not ?.lways safe to declare a flock free 

 of the disease when only one negative test has been obtained. Therefore, two 

 successive negati^'e tests not less than six months or more than a year apart 

 appear to be a safer index in determining the true status of a flock. Nevertheless, 

 a flock which has passed one negative test should be given more recognition 

 than a tested flock which has revealed reactors. The latter flock should be re- 

 garded as infected and unsafe for breeding purposes. Flocks in which a reactor 

 tolerance is allowed should be considered unsafe for obtaining pullorum-free stock. 



93. Are other measures aside from the agglutination test important for suc- 

 cessful eradication? Yes. The agglutination test is only one step in an erad- 

 ication program. Prompt removal of reactors and sanitary and preventive 

 measures must be observed in establishing and maintaining a pullorum disease- 

 free-flock. 



