A22-Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, March 11, 2000
(Continued from Page AI)
genic anvian virus in turkeys
when it suddenly switched to
high levels. The pathogenic
quickly spread into layer, os
trich, guinea fowl, and quail, re
quiring more than 10 million
birds to be depopulated.
In retrospect, the same factors
were evident in Pennsylvania
during the 1983 and 1986 epi
demics and in the 1997-98 prob
lems. Left unchallenged in the
1983 and 1986, the avian in
fluenza outbreaks forced mas
sive eradication of flocks.
“We can’t allow this virus to
establish itself. Once AI is intro
duced, it’s impossible to keep it
from spreading. We must pre
vent the start of it,” Kradel said.
Kradel said the live bird
market appears to be the pri
mary source of contamination.
The virus circulates among mar
kets and suppliers, at times, take
it to the market.
Although lots of efforts to
reduce risks have been instilled,
the bottom line is that despite all
efforts there is not a significant
reduction non-pathogenians in
live bird markets in New York
City, which makes it a risk to
commercial operations.
On a scale of 1-10, with one being the lowest, Kradel
would classify the virus danger at a 3 or 4.
“We can’t predict if it (an outbreak) will happen next
week or months later, but the possibility is there,” Kradel
warned.
He recommends strict biosecurity at the farm level to pre
vent exposure. “Manure the size of a dime (containing AI)
can infect a million chickens,” Kradel said.
Another Al-related problem with which to contend is
public perception. In 1997 the first proven connection be
tween poultry and human viruses were proven in Hong
Kong. Although there doesn’t seem to be a connection be
tween Al and human health, Kradel warned that people are
liable to accuse even if it isn’t valid.
Kradel said that in perusing literature he found evidence
that AI was a problem in the U.S. during 1924-1929, when it
was referred to as fowl play. In the historical accounts, the
New York markets were also confirmed as the source of
contamination.
Kradel believes that once the virus is introduced to a
flock, it can spread by air and through manure.
It appears that three to four weeks after a virus spreads
through a flock, it can no longer be detected in the flock or
in the manure after two weeks.
“It seems to die quickly, but we can’t count on that,”
Kradel said of cleanup efforts.
Dr. Paul Patterson, Penn State, shared new industry
products displayed at the industry’s national convention in
Atlanta. Of special interest to producers is the continual de
velopment of better products to control ammonia in poulty
litter.
“Severe litter problems can cost $6OO per flock,” Patter
son of the need for a better solution.
Three new products tackle the ammonia problem from
different angles. Not one product is perfect by itself but each
has features that work better for specific incidents.
Producers should talk with their service representatives
to decide if one of the products are a viable solution in their
bird houses.
New gadgets released include an electronic hand and arm
wash system that sanitizes boots at the same time.
Some of the new items Patterson thought worthy of
review were an egg pasteurizer to be used in food service set
tings, a claw heat treatment to reduce turkey carcass
damage, an infrared beak trim, fowl mite product, a broiler
approved vaccine spray, and infrared laser thermometer.
Introduced also were new ways to market poultry and
eggs. Two internet companies show how they are marketing
to food service, manufacturing, and retail markets.
“I think this is where we’re going,” said Patterson of in
ternet marketing.
“Provide proper environment, and you’ll have better
health,” said Dr. Eileen Wheeler, Penn State.
Wheeler released study profiles of bird health comparing
temperature variations and relative humidity. She recom
mends using hand-held thermometers at floor levels since
temperatures can fluctuate drastically between floor and
standing height.
Relative humidity has a pro
found effect upon ammonia
levels, and for this reason, sen
sors should be used to keep the
humidity properly adjusted.
Once ammonia levels rise, it is
almost impossible to have them
drop to acceptable levels.
Broiler production challenges
were addressed by Tom Pan
tano, Tyson Foods, Andy Brad
ford, Wenger Feeds, and Rusty
Barnes, General Chemical Cor
poration.
Hot weather can cause havoc
in broiler houses. Pantano said
that large birds cannot cope well
with hot, humid weather. Al
though some losses will happen
regardless of what you do, losses
can be kept to a minimun.
Birds raised from the begin
ning in hot weather do not have
as much difficulting acclimated
to temperature swings.
Studies show that 85-90-
degree temperatures cause
broilers to become uncomfort
able and panic. They will drink
more water. Trouble is inevita
ble at 95-100 degree tempera
ture, and at 100 degrees, broilers
die rapidly.
Highest mortality rates
New Developments
Ventilation Tips
Broiler Challenges
happen between 5 p.m. and 7
p.m.
Debate is ongoing on whether
or not witholding feed restricts
the losses. Some producers ada
mantly insist that it works if the
feeders are kept out of reach
from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Kr!S!f k r S «f t n PoU,try Pr ° g : ess , Days ' from ,eft front - are Andy Bradford, Dr. David
Pantaio R nr t D B 1 r D e « a " d *£' een whe eler. From back left are Nelson Groff, Tom
Pantano, Dr. Paul Patterson, Robert Anderson, and Dr. Al Price.
SEE ONE OF THESE DEALERS FOR A DEMONSTRATION:
MARYLAND NEW JERSEY Belleville
Elmer Miller-Lake, Inc
Pole Tavern Equipment Biglerville
Sales Corp. O.C. Rice, Inc
PENNSYLVANIA
Damero'n
Carroll’s Equipment
Hagerstown
Carlyle & Martin, Inc.
White ford
Deer Creek Equipment,
Inc
85- TO 105-HP ADVANTAGE SERIES TRACTORS
Adamstown
Adamstown Equipment,
Inc.
Allentown
Lehigh Ag Equipment, Inc
Poultry Progress
Producers Do A
f ML
Carlisle
Gutshalls, Inc.
Centre Hall
Dunkle & Greib, Inc.
Chambersburg
Clugston Ag & Turf, Inc
Fairmount City
Miller’s Equipment
Halifax
Tobias Equipment Co., Inc
Hanover
Finch Services-Hanover,
Inc.
Lancaster
Landis Bros., Inc.
Th
the m
nal te
“A
make
and d
ever,
watei
1 60-dej
water
rises i
110-di
any w.
bird f;
walke
sit still
beneal
tempe
walkii
encoui
aroun
It ii
for h(
Lebanon
Landis Bro.,
Martinsburg
Wmeland Eq
Mercersbim
Smith’s, Imp!
Mill Hall
Dunkle and
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