A survey of the viral flora of two commercial Pekin duck flocks

Abstract

SUMMARYDucklings on a problem farm which showed persistent and unacceptably high mortality yielded a larger range and greater number of viruses than did ducklings from a second flock, in which mortality was of a power and acceptable level.

Viral Enteric Infections

“…Other reports of rotavirus in avian species include: clinically normal ducks in Japan (108), and the United Kingdom. (121); apparently normal feral pigeons in Japan (76), and diseased racing pigeons in the United Kingdom (33); diseased partridges in the United Kingdom (30) and diseased partridges and Japanese quail in Italy (88). Rotaviruses have been detected in and isolated from wild birds, including a velvet scoter (Melanitta fusca) in Japan (110); a lovebird (Agapornis species) in the United Kingdom (31); ratites in South Africa (ostrich) and the United States (emu chick) (24,38); and healthy wild pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) in Hungary (120).…”