Effect of spraying hatching eggs with quaternary ammonium on hatching traits of breeder broiler eggs

This study examined the effectiveness of quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) as a sanitizer for controlling microbial activity on fertile eggshells and its impact on hatchability. A total of 660 fertile eggs from 60-week-old Lohmann White breeder hens were treated with QAC at concentrations of 1/100, 1/200, and 1/300 ml/L or left unsensitized. Results showed that QAC significantly reduced total aerobic bacteria on eggshells before incubation and at day 18, compared to non-sanitized eggs. Hatchability was higher, and embryo mortality was lower in eggs treated with QAC, particularly at the 1/300 ml/L concentration, compared to the non-sanitized group. Egg weight decreased across all treatments during incubation, with the highest weight loss observed at the 1/100 ml/L concentration. Overall, QAC demonstrated efficacy in reducing microbial contamination and enhancing hatchability, though its effects on egg weight loss varied.