What is pullorum and why are we testing?

http://www.ohiopoultry.org/npip.asp

What are the requirements at the Ohio State Fair?

Follow the link and scroll down to the section covering poultry.

http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/pubs/divs/anim/curr/law/901%201-18%20%20Exhibition.pdf

Who determines pullorum testing requirements for county fairs?

It’s up to the county fair officials to determine requirements for each fair, there are no state rules to meet, only guidelines.  The Ohio Poultry Association has recommendations but counties make the decision on implementation of these suggestions.  Contact your county 4H Extension Educator for more information on your county’s requirements.

How do we get NPIP approved birds and how do we keep them safe from pullorum?

When buying poultry you can get your birds from an NPIP approved hatchery.  Request health certification papers when purchasing and keep the papers handy to take with you when you check in your birds.  Be sure to keep your NPIP birds separate from any other birds you have in order to avoid possible exposure to pullorum.

What are the testing options?

Broilers can not be tested because they are too young at the time they are shown, so if your fair requires NPIP (pullorum) papers you must get them from the hatchery.

Turkeys can be blood tested at 12 wks old or older if you do not have NPIP papers, this requires that blood is drawn and sent to Dr. Zhang at The Ohio Dept. of Ag., Animal Sciences in Reynoldsburg.  Call 614-882-6111 and ask for Lisa Tharp for details on this process.

For breed type chickens you can have them tested using the pullorum plate test, there may be someone locally that can do this for you.  Breed - type chickens can be tested at age 16 weeks and older.

Presently waterfowl do not need to be tested.

More Information www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/npip