The innovative VIR-check, developed by Royal GD, is the best test for assessing the effectiveness of broiler house cleaning and disinfection. This test determines the viral pressure in a broiler house. Based on 10 swabs from 6-7 day old chicks, a quantitative multiplex PCR test assesses how many common resistant intestinal viruses the chicks picked up in the first days of life.

The VIR-check score is easy to interpret with four colour coded categories (green, yellow, orange and red). This tool shows the result of farm hygiene and disinfection and it also stimulates to continuously improve this process. Research shows that chicks with a lower VIR-check score grow faster. If a farm improves from category red to category green, this will result in more than 100 grams of extra growth per chick in 6 weeks!

The VIR-check is also an important part of GD’s disease control programmes. These programmes help farmers to control, reduce and in some cases even eradicate and receive accreditation for specific diseases.

VIR-check:
• Tests for five common resistant intestinal viruses
• Evaluates the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection
• Easy sampling and clear results
• Low VIR-check score = better growth

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