Poultry Testing -
2008 Fair Season
Salmonella pullorum causes an important disease of poultry called Pullorum. This
disease can kill chickens, turkeys, and other birds; young birds are especially
at risk. Those birds that survive carry the disease and can pass
it to other birds, even passing the disease to their young through infected
eggs. The bacteria is also spread when birds inhale infected dust
or contact infected incubators shipping materials, brooders or any areas
where infected birds have been. Thanks to improved sanitation and
testing, Pullorum is now rare in the United States.
For the sake of bird health and our state’s multi-million dollar poultry industry, it is very important that Washington kee its “Pullorum Clean” status. This status is required for movement of all poultry and poultry products to other states. In order to keep the “Pullorum Clean” status, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) recently adopted a regulation (WAC 16-59 Avian Diseases in Washington State) that requires all poultry going to fairs and shows to be tested for Pullorum or from a flock that has tested negative for Pullorum and is a member of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). In addition, this regulation also requires a health certificate of all poultry imported into the state of Washington, including import for exhibition purposes.
For the 2008 Fair Season: In addition to educating exhibitors about the newly adopted regulation, WSDA will be assisting poultry superintendents, 4-H/FFA leaders, and exhibitors in meeting the new Pullorum testing requirements. Testing can be met by one of the following ways:
- a. Obtain show birds directly from an NPIP participant flock or hatchery. These birds are considered to be from a Pullorum-clean flock and do not need to be tested.
- b. Purchase show birds directly from NPIP participants. The exhibitor will need to show documentation of purchase that includes the NPIP participant name and number.
- c. Purchase show birds from a feed store. Feed stores generally purchase their day-old poultry from NPIP hatcheries. Exhibitors will need to show documentation of purchase including a receipt and source hatchery where the birds came from.
- d. Have show birds tested prior to the fair Poultry clubs or organizations can arrange with WSDA to have show birds tested prior to the fair season. All birds testing negative will be leg banded and the bird owner will receive a certificate of testing. This certificate may be used for exhibition purposes for up to 90 days. Exhibitors will need to provide a copy of the testing certificate.
- e. Have show birds tested at the fair. Pullorum testing will be available at fairs for birds that do no have proof-of-purchase from a NPIP flock nor a testing certificate. Te test requires only one drop of blood from the wing vein. All tests conducted at poultry exhibits will be performed by WSDA-certified testers and the results will be available within minutes. Arrangements will be made with the Poultry Superintendent of each fair to test birds after they have been shown. At the fair, all birds testing negative will be leg banded and the bird owner will receive a certificate of testing. This certificate may be used for exhibition purposes for up to 90 days.
Sarah M. Smith
Area Extension Faculty--Animal Sciences
WSU Grant-Adams Extension
PO Box 37, courthouse
Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-2011, Ext. 413
(800) 572-0119 (toll fee in Washington)
Fax: (509)754-0163
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