In the commercial
broiler breeder farms and hatcheries, formaldehyde fumigation is
routinely carried out to disinfect hatching eggs, Dipping of hatching
eggs has not been practiced as means of disinfection locally. The proper
use of disinfection is essential. This study was carried out to
determine the effect of different disinfection practices on
hatchability, egg weight loss, embryonic mortality and early chick
performance. Nestclean and dirty eggs were exposed to formaldehyde
fumigation (control) or immersed in worm water (40 C) followed
by dipping for 5 minutes in one of the following disinfectant solutions:
1% formalin, agri germ, or 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.
Early chick mortality and hatchability of fertile eggs were not effected
by treatments, but they were numerically greater in eggs dipped in
hydrogen peroxide solution. None of the treatments affected egg weight
loss throughout the first 18-days of incubation. The use of one-step
dipping rather than the common fumigation in- farm and in-hatchery did
not adversely affect hatchability. Body weights, chick mortality and
weight gains did not differ by treatment. The use of one-step
disinfection , and the use of hydrogen peroxide as an in-farm dip for
hatching eggs may be a possible alternative to formaldehyde fumigation.