MEASURE FOR ASPERGILLOSIS IN FOWL

ATCHERY sanitation has hitherto been concerned with the control of enteric, bacterial and respiratory viral pathogens. Recently, however, high mold populations in commercial egg incubators were reported by Wright, Anderson and Epps.7 The presence of molds was detected by routine, microbial analysis of fluff samples. Moreover, the presence of certain molds, particularly Aspergillus spp. often coincided with increased embryo mortality and clinical respiratory ailments, unthriftiness, and increased chick and poult mortality within the first 10 days of age. A similar condition was reported by Eggert and Barnhart3 who noted a predisposition to Aspergillus fumigatus in young chicks, the progeny of a flock with aspergillosis, which was brooded on wire. Concern over the increase in mycotic invasion of older fowl has been voiced by Couch2 who claims that administration of antibiotics is a major influence on this phenomenon. However, this does not explain the reason for this type of disease in chicks and poults under 10 days of age nor does it relieve the hatchery manager of his sanitary obligations. The claim by Watkins5 that 10 percent of all deaths in chicks under 14 days old are caused by aspergillosis indicates the economic importance of this disease. The spores of Aspergillus spp. are ubiquitous in their distribution and are present perenially but the presence of large numbers of these spores in fluff samples cannot be overlooked, especially since aspergil