EFFECT OF ANTIBIOTIC, DISINFECTANT AND FORMALDEI-IYDE GAS ON I-IATCHABILITY OF BROILER EGGS .

Abstract

The present study tested: 1) the biocidal effectiveness of antibiotic, quaternary
ammonium disinfectant and fonnaldehyde gas in disinfecting broiler hatching eggs. 2) effectiveness of packaging eggs in polythene bags to reduce contamination and 3) effectiveness of changing nesting materials in controlling egg shell contamination. Experimental broiler eggs were laid between 8.00 and 9.00 am. From these eggs, samples were collected hourly and disinfected using antibiotic, quaternary ammonium disinfectant and formaldehyde gas. Five egg collections were made. Antibiotic and disinfectant were sprayed on the egg shell using a manual hand sprayer. Bacteriological analysis involved determination of aerobic plate counts. Eggs were transported to the hatchery in two batches. Batch one was packed in polythene bags while batch two was left open. Saleable hatchability significantly increased to 60%, 80% and 75% for antibiotic, disinfectant and formaldehyde gas respectively compared to 6% for control that were not disinfected. There was a reduction in aerobic plate counts of 87%, 99.1% and 91.1% for antibiotic, quaternary ammonium disinfectant and formaldehyde gas respectively. Packaging in polythene bags significantly reduced egg shell recontamination. Changing nesting materials daily did not significantly reduce egg shell contamination when eggs were collected within one hour after lay. Hazard analysis critical control points emerging from this study are; environment
where the egg is laid, collection and sanitation time after lay, method of sanitation and mode of conveying eggs fi'om the farm to the hatchery. In conclusion, antibiotics and disinfectants have a lot of potential in sanitising hatching eggs in developing countries.