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Lab Front

Duck Research Laboratory
Cornell University

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
LABORATORY SERVICES • DUCK BIOLOGICS


Purpose. The Cornell University Duck Research Laboratory is a research, service and biologics production laboratory located on Long Island at Eastport, New York. It is a national and international resource for information on duck disease control, good husbandry practices, proper nutrition, and various other aspects of duck production. The Duck Laboratory is also a federally licensed biologics production facility. It manufactures biologics which provide protection against most of the common diseases of ducks. The present emphasis of research is on duck health, focusing on improvment of diagnostic techniques and the development of new or improved duck biologics.

Background. The Duck Laboratory came into existence in 1949 as a result of a working relationship between Long Island duck producers and Cornell University. At that time, very little scientific research was being carried out on ducks. In contrast, a considerable amount of research was being conducted at a number of universities on chicken and turkey production. The relatively small size of the duck industry in the United States, compared to the chicken and turkey industries, placed the duck industry at a decided disadvantage in obtaining funding for the support of research. To help overcome this obstacle, the duck growers made a commitment to pay a large portion of the cost of research themselves through the payment of dues and fees. An agreement between Cornell University, and what was soon to become the Long Island Duck Research Cooperative was reached to establish and operate a duck laboratory at Eastport, New York. The laboratory initially operated in a rented building in Eastport. Construction of the present research facility on a 75 acre tract of land in Eastport began in 1955.

As duck production grew in other parts of North America, participation in the laboratory by duck producers located outside New York increased, and many of these producers helped support the laboratory financially. In addition duck producers in Canada and other countries as well became supporters of the duck laboratory. In order to reflect its diverse makeup the name of the research cooperative was changed to the International Duck Research Cooperative (IDRC) in 1992.

LABORATORY SERVICES

Diagnostic Laboratory Service. The Duck Laboratory is equipped to run all tests necessary to accurately diagnose diseases of ducks. Experienced duck disease specialists are on staff who can advise growers on the best methods of treatment and control. Testing includes isolation, identification and serotyping of causative agents, since successful prevention and treatment is often dependent upon up-to-date information on the serotypes that are responsible for the infection on a particular farm. Monitoring the level of disease protection (antibody) of breeders and their progeny by serological and other tests is another available service that is important in the control of diseases such as duck virus hepatitis. In addition to ducks, all major species of birds, including poultry, pet birds, and wild and captive fowl of all kinds are accepted for examination.

Consultation. Consultation services are available to members of the IDRC. A team of experienced duck specialist are available to review difficult problems that arise in the course of producing ducks, and offer their recommendations. In cases where new problems arise, the laboratory will, within limits of funding, conduct research to seek a solution. When necessary to properly diagnose a problem, on-site visits to a farm by a team of specialist are made.

Feed Formulation. Assistance in formulating duck rations is available to IDRC members and manufacturers of duck feeds. Rations are tailored to meet specifications based upon decades of research at the duck laboratory. Formulas are reviewed and updated as needed.

VETERINARY BIOLOGICS FOR DUCKS

Duck biological products are available to both members (of the IDRC) and non-members alike. Members receive these products at a reduced price since they contribute through their membership dues. The following products are produced at the Laboratory and tested according to USDA regulations.

PA VaccineRiemerella Anatipestifer Vaccine, Avirulent Live Culture. This biologic, which can be administered by spraying one-day-old ducklings, provides protection against R. anatipestifer infection caused by serotypes 1, 2, and 5 throughout the period when ducklings are most susceptible. This vaccine provides protection against serotypes most common in North America. This product, which is in freeze-dried form, is mixed with sterile diluent immediately before use. More information on the administration of this biologic, and the equipment required is available from the duck laboratory. Note: This product was formally called Pasteurella Anatipestifer Vaccine.

DVH vaccineDuck Virus Hepatitis Vaccine (Type I). This biologic is used mainly for vaccination of breeder ducks. Antibodies produced as a result of vaccination are passed from breeders through the egg to their offspring. These maternal antibodies protect ducklings from duck virus hepatitis during the period when they are most susceptible. It can also be used to immunize ducklings that have no maternal antibodies (ducklings from non-vaccinated breeders). This vaccine (modified live virus chicken embryo origin) is available in frozen form. It is mixed with sterile diluent (provided with the vaccine) immediately before use.

DVH Yolk-antibodyDuck Virus Hepatitis Yolk Antibody (Type I). This preparation is recommended for the prevention and treatment of duck virus hepatitis Type I on farms where the disease is not being controlled through other measures. One innoculation is usually sufficient to provide passive immunity for 7- 14 days. On farms where duck virus hepatitis is a serious problem, ducklings will require additional innoculations, 10 days apart, the number depending on the severity of the disease. This product is stored at refrigerator temperature (35-45ºF), and is ready to use without dilution.

DVE vaccineDuck Virus Enteritis Vaccine. Duck virus enteritis (Duck Plague) is primarily a disease of mature ducks, causing high mortality and reduced egg production. Accordingly this vaccine is used primarily to protect breeder ducks from the disease. Under some conditions the disease can occur in younger ducks. On farms where this is the case, younger ducks may be protected by vaccination with this product at the proper time. Contact the Duck Laboratory for more information regarding the control of outbreaks in younger ducks. This product is available in frozen form. It is mixed with sterile diluent (provided with the vaccine) immediately before use.

PA BacterinRiemerella Anatipestifer Bacterin. This biologic is used for immunization of ducklings against Riemerella anatipestifer infection (also called infectious serositis). This disease causes high mortality, weight loss and condemnations at time of slaughter. It is a formalin-inactivated cell suspension of 3 serotypes of R. anatipestifer (serotypes 1, 2 and 5). This product is stored at refrigerator temperature (35-45ºF), and is ready for use without dilution. Two inoculations, given at 2 and 3 weeks of age, are necessary to provide protection. (Note: This product was formally called Pasteurella Anatipestifer Bacterin)

Escherichia Coli - Riemerella Anatipestifer Bacterin. E. Coli/PA BacterinThis product is used for immunization of ducklings against E. coli. and R. anatipestifer infections, which commonly occur in ducklings. In ducks, E. coli. infection produces lesions very similar to those seen in Anatipestifer infection. This biologic is a formalin-inactivated cell suspension of serotype 0:78 of E. coli. and three serotypes (1,2 and 5) of R. anatipestifer. It comes in ready-to-use form and is stored at refrigerator temperature (35-45ºF) until time of use. Two injections, given at 2 and 3 weeks of age, are necessary to provide protection.

Autogenous BacterinAutogenous Bacterin. In cases where less common serotypes of Riemerella anatipestifer or other bacteria are involved in a disease outbreak, an autogenous bacterin can be prepared for a designated farm. The product consists of killed whole cell suspensions made from cultures of a particular organism isolated from the designated farm. This product is stored at refrigerator temperature (35-45ºF), and is in ready-to-use form. Two injections, 7 days apart, are required to provide protection.

For more information on duck biologics, contact the Duck Research Laboratory:
Phone
: 631-325-0600 • Fax: 631-325-1843 • Email: tsan3@duckhealth.com
Laboratory mailing address: Cornell University Duck Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 217, 192 Old Country Road, Eastport, NY 11941

Copyright 2006, International Duck Research Cooperative, Inc., All rights reserved.
Unauthorized use prohibited.