Pullorum testing for Ag Fair poultry available on Island

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The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will travel to the Vineyard this month to test poultry for pullorum, a poultry disease caused by salmonella. Poultry without a pullorum-clean certificate (valid for one year) may not be entered in the West Tisbury Agriculture Fair, which will be held August 21 to 24.

Testing will be conducted Tuesday, July 15, and Tuesday, July 22. Requests for testing should be made no later than Friday, July 11, and flock owners will receive results approximately a week after the test.

“It is the flock owner’s responsibility to confine their flock in a manner in which the birds can be easily caught on the day of the scheduled test,” MDAR said in a press release. “The flock owner must be present to handle their birds and assist the inspector.”

All birds at least 18 weeks of age will be tested for salmonella pullorum. Ten percent of the birds will also be tested for avian influenza.

“Once your flock is certified pullorum clean, it is in your best interest to ensure that you do not add any birds to your flock that have not originated from pullorum clean stock,” said the MDAR. “We recommend that you obtain a copy of a valid pullorum clean certificate from the flock owner before accepting any new additions to your flock. Likewise, a copy of your valid, pullorum-clean certificate should accompany any birds that leave your flock.”

Poultry that test positive will be retested.

To schedule an appointment, contact Alex Macdonald at 617-872-9961 or via email at alex.macdonald@state.ma.us or amasterpoe@yahoo.com or Megan Megrath at 617-626-1798 or via email at megan.megrath@state.ma.us.