EFFECT OF PRE-INCUBATION FUMIGATION WITH FORMALDEHYDE ON THE HATCHABILITY OF CHICKEN EGGS

Abstract

A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate pre-incubation fumigation effects on hatchability using formalin and potassium permanganate. Evidence is provided that embryo viability was not impaired when 1.5 cc of formalin were used with 1 g potassium permanganate per 0.02832 m 3 of fumigation chamber, under the following conditions: Fumigation time was 20 to 30 min, egg pack was adequately ventilated immediately after fumigation (at least 24 hours of ventilation prior to packing in a case), relative humidities ranged from 49 to 58% or 60 to 78% when fumigating at a maximum temperature of 37 C, and temperatures of either 23 or 37 C were used with relative humidities ranging from 60 to 78% during fumigation. These fumigation procedures did not affect hatch-ability, even when eggs were prewarmed at 37 C for 3 hours prior to fumigating at 23 C for 20 min, or when the prefumigation egg temperatures were 11 or 16 C prior to fumigating at 37 C, which resulted in considerable condensation of moisture on the egg shell. Although fumigation would usually be conducted within a day or two from time of lay, hatchability was unaffected when eggs were stored up to 3 weeks and fumigated at time of setting.