The objective of health monitoring is to confirm the absence or presence of certain antigens or antibodies. For (G)PS operations the following control programs are recommendable:
- Salmonella
Absence of all salmonella species with special attention for S. pullorum, S. gallinarum, S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium. The control program should be based on bacteriology and/or serology. Salmonella enteritidis and typhimurium should be checked every 4 weeks of life, preferably based on bacteriology.
- Mycoplasma
Absence of mycoplasma gallisepticum. The control program should be based on a 4 weekly serology.
- Egg Drop Syndrome
Absence of EDS. The control program can be based on serology at 26 and 50 weeks of age.
- Avian Influenza
Absence of A.I. The control program can be based on serology at 50 weeks of age.
- Newcastle disease
Presence of high and persistent levels of antibodies against ND. Serology on 12, 20, 26 and 50 weeks of age.
- Infectious Bronchitis (IBV)
Presence of sufficient levels of antibodies before onset of lay in order to prevent adverse effects of infection.
- Gumboro Disease (IBD)
Presence of persistent levels of antibodies giving uniform levels of maternal antibodies in order to enable a good vaccination program for the offspring. Antibody levels can be checked by serology on 26 and 50 weeks of age.
- Avian Encephalomyelitis
Presence of sufficient antibodies at the onset of lay in order to protect the progeny. Serology should be performed 4 weeks after vaccination.
- Chicken Anemia Virus
Presence of sufficient antibodies at the onset of lay in order to protect the progeny. Serology should be performed before 22 weeks of age in order to allow vaccination in case of absence of natural infection.
- Respiratory Enteric Orphan Virus (REO)
Presence of high persistent levels of antibodies in order to protect the bird and its offspring. Antibody levels can be checked at 26 and 50 weeks of age.
For (G)PS operations, we furthermore recommend to introduce storage of frozen sera of each flock at the age of 12, 26, 42 and 60 weeks of age. This creates the possibility to investigate the presence or absence of certain diseases retrospectively.
