The Wilmington morning star., 1944-07-17
FOWL DISEASES
CAUSE LOSSES
BY THOMPSON GREENWOOD
Agriculture Dept. Editor

By THOMPSON GREENWOOD
Agriculture Dept. Editor
RALEIGH, July 16-R-'1n the
past Is years ADULT mortality
losses in poultry have increased
as much as so per cent in some
areas" DR.. William Moore, vet
erinarian with the State Depart
ment of Agriculture, declared to-
day in discussing three common
poultry diseases which deserve
the special attention and vigilance
of the flock owne- at this time"
DR.. Moore said that pullorum
disease, fowl pox, and coccidiosis
probably cause greater losses than
all other poultry diseases COM
bined.
Pullorum disease, he asserted,
has been a problem of the poul-
try industry for many years, and
is still cause of severe losses
among many flocks.
DR.. Moore explained that pullo-
rum disease is caused by a min
ute micro-organism called SAL
monella pullorum. The common
carrier of this disease germ be-
ing the adult hen. The organism
most frequently is found in the
hens reproducing organs, thus
making it easy for an infected
hen to pass the disease on through
the egg to the newly-hatched
chick. This explains why pullo-um
disease is responsible for such
high mortality among baby
chicks.
"Pul,orum disease usually mani
tests itself within three days to
two weeks after the chick has
been hatched," said DR.. Moore.
He added that the affected chicks
appear droopy, chirp weakly, and
remain under the hover, and lose
their appetites, with pneumonia
developing in some cases.
Sometimes it is impossible to
determine whether the chick has
pullorum disease, the only definite
criterion being to find the causa-
tive agent by meteorological ex-
animation. Prompt diagnosis is
important, because infected chicks
can expose others to the disease
by means of their droppings.
Unfortunately, Dr. Moore said,
there is as yet no drug, vaccine
or bacte-in that is effective in
combating pullorum disease. But
drastic culling during the first IA
days of an outbreak, coupled with
rigid sanitation, may prove help
full. If possible, pullets should not
be kept for laying or breeding
purposes from broods of pullorum-
infected chicks. If a flock is in
fected, repeated blood-testing and
thorough sanitation are the best
control measures.
DR.. Moore said that chicks
should always be purchased from
hatcheries which follow a blood
testing and sanitation program
among their breeding flocks. In
general, hatcheries operating I'M
der the National Poultry Improve
ment plan conform to these STAN
dards. If pullorum disease does
occur on farm, no new chicks
should be brought on the place
until the brooder and all equip
ment have been thoroughly clean
ed and disinfected.
Fowl pox is caused by virus;
it affects chickens and turkeys
of all ages, and is characterized
by pale, wart-like areas which
may develop on the combs, wat
ties and eyelids. These scabs la
ter become dark brown. In some
cases, cankers also develop in
the mouth, and at the corners of
the mouth.
According to DR.. Moore, vacci-
nation is the most effective mea-
sure in dealing with fowl pox.
In outbreaks of fowl pox in pro-
ducing focks, pigeon pox vaccine
should be used. However, if more
than so per cent of the flock has
the disease, vaccination is general
" of little use. In vaccination to
prevent the disease, fowl pox ra-
ther than pigeon pox vaccine IS
recommended.
Sanitation is the best safeguard
against coccidiosis. Litter should
be removed twice each week from
the houses. water fountains should
be raised on a screen PLATFORM
and feeding equipment should be
raised in a similar manner SO II
will be free of d~oppings. Bedding
should be kept dry. To control this