Effect of fumigation and antibiotic treatment of hatching eggs on fertility, hatchability and surface bacterial load

A total of 1050 hatching eggs of White Leghorn Chicken were utilized in seven groups i.e. control, fumigation on the day of collection, setting and on both collection and setting and antibiotic dipping on the day of collection, setting and on both collection and setting, to study the effect of formaldehyde fumigation and antibiotic treatment on fertility, hatchability and surface bacterial load of hatching eggs. No significant difference in fertility was observed among the various treatment groups. Highest hatchability on both total and fertile egg set was observed in a group of eggs which was dipped in antibiotics both on the day of collection and setting. Significant difference (P<0.01) in hatchability was observed between control and treated groups on the basis of both i.e. on total and fertile egg set. Results revealed lower viable bacterial count per square centimeter in fumigation treated groups compared to either antibiotic treated or control groups. However increased bacterial load was observed in egg surface after hatching compared to that after treatment.