Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

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Flock Owner Information

The Pullorum-Typhoid (PT) Program requires all domestic poultry (chicken, guinea, pheasant, quail, peafowl and turkey) offered for sale, trade, or used to produce offspring for sale or trade must be tested for pullorum and typhoid and found to be free of infection. In addition, the program requires all poultry going to public exhibition or public sale to be found free of infection or originate from a certified clean flock. TVMDL is the recordkeeping authority for this program in Texas.

Roster of Authorized Testers

TVMDL maintains a list of all authorized PT testers in the state. Visit the online roster to view the individuals available to test flocks in your area. Flock owners enrolled in the Texas Animal Health Commission’s (TAHC) Domestic and Exotic Fowl Registration Program may request a TAHC inspector to perform PT testing.

FAQ for Bird Owners

How old do my birds need to be to get tested for P/T?
Poultry over 16 weeks of age will need to be tested.

 

Who do I contact to sell my yard eggs/infertile eggs?
Eggs meant for human consumption will need to be discussed with the Department of State Health Services. Visit the Selling Yard Eggs page on the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension website for more information.

 

What does a flock owner need in order to sell or show hatching eggs, chicks, or poultry in the state?
Checklist of new flock owners

  • Have flock tested for Pullorum-Typhoid
  • Fowl Registration License – Texas Animal Health Commission (link at bottom of page)
  • Join NPIP program – optional (link on left side of page)
    • Beneficial for flock owners shipping hatching eggs, chicks, or birds out of state

 

How much does it cost to get my flock tested?
It will be up to each private, Authorized Testing Agent to decide what to charge for this service to recoup expenses related to testing (i.e.travel, supplies, training expenses, paperwork processing time).

 

How do I schedule a test for my birds?
TVMDL maintains maintain a list of Authorized Testing Agents. Owners can contact any Authorized Testing Agent to arrange for testing.

 

Who can test my flock for PT?
Flock owners may contact an Authorized Testing Agent or a Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) inspector test their birds for PT. Flock owners may only test their own flocks if they are Authorized Testing Agents through the Texas PT Program. TAHC inspectors can only tests flocks within the TAHC’s Domestic and Exotic Fowl Registration Program. Some veterinarians may also perform testing.

If flock owners are unable to find an Authorized Testing Agent within their county, they may request testers from surrounding counties. Flock owners selling or showing their birds in Texas may also reach out to the sale or show to inquire about if testing is provided at the door or gate of the event. Please note that flock owners that have birds tested at a sale or show may not receive any paperwork following the test.

 

What documentation will I receive following a PT test?
For annual flock tests, owners will receive a Flock Owner Testing Agreement form from the Authorized Testing Agent. The flock test and form are good for one year from the date of the test. This is the only paperwork required for shows and sales in Texas.

For those only showing or selling poultry in Texas, TVMDL recommends owners contact the sale and/or show to inquire if testing will be provided at the door or gate. If you receive testing at a show or sale you will not receive any paperwork for poultry.

 

Resources for Flock Owners

The P/T office has compiled several resources for flock owners. Visit the resources for flock owners page for more information.