A New Approach to Evaluate the Hygienic Condition of Commercial Hatcheries

Hatchery hygiene was evaluated in two commercial broiler hatcheries using open-plate method, surface swabbing and microbiological examination of hatchery fluff. Air samples and surface swabs were collected from: inside the hatch unit, the corridor outside the hatch unit and the chick processing room, while, fluff samples were collected after hatching from the hatch unit and the chick processing room. After cleaning and disinfection process of the hatch, four commercial disinfectants were evaluated for their effectiveness for controlling the hatchery contaminants, TH4®(combination of glutaraldehyde + quaternary ammonium compound), Virucidal extra® (chlorine preparation), Advantage 256® (phenolics) and Perasan® (per-acetic acid). The obtained results indicated that surface swabbing and microbiological examination of hatch fluff could detect higher degree of contamination than open-plate method in the two investigated hatcheries. Per-acetic acid preparations and (glutaraldehyde + quaternary ammonium compound) could reduce completely hatchery contaminants after 30 min of application. Conclusively, open-plate method is easy to perform and inexpensive but may give false indication that the air is clean when it is not. So, surface swabbing and microbiological examination of hatch fluff are more reliable methods for evaluating the hygienic status of a hatchery. Moreover, Surface swabbing method is more accurate than open-plate method in evaluating the decontamination process of the hatch. Hatchery sanitation and the proper use of effective disinfectant are essential for successful operation of any commercial poultry hatchery. Per-acetic acid and (glutaraldehyde + quaternary ammonium compound) proved their efficiency in controlling hatchery contaminants and can be used as safe alternatives to formalin in poultry hatcheries.