The importance of Nebraska Poultry Improvement Plan participation to prevent egg-transmitted diseases is covered here for small flock, game bird, hobby and exhibition flock owners. This is a cooperative State-Federal program. The plan's widespread acceptance among the commercial industry has resulted in almost complete elimination of Salmonella pullorum and Salmonella gallinarum from commercial breeding stocks. Acceptance and participation in the plan has saved the commercial industry and small flock owners many millions of dollars due to improved health and production in poultry.
Losses are greatest in very young birds, but can be seen at almost any age.
Survivors of these infections remain carriers for life and can become sources of infection for other birds. As breeders, they produce hatching eggs that contain these bacteria. As a result, chicks are hatched with the infection and frequently die. In Nebraska, all poultry or poultry products coming into the state must be NPIP certified Pullorum-Typhoid Clean, or must originate from a clean source. If the poultry are from a source that is not certified clean, they must be tested to demonstrate they are not Pullorum-Typhoid carriers.