Scrubbing and hydrogen peroxide spray improve eggshell microbial hygiene and hatchability in goose eggs

This study evaluated the effects of eggshell scrubbing and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) spray sanitization on the microbial load on eggshells, egg moisture loss, embryonic mortality, hatchability of fertilized eggs, and gosling weight in White Roman goose hatching eggs. A 2 × 3 factorial design was used, involving two levels of scrubbing (non-scrubbed or scrubbed) and three levels of spraying (no spray, 3% H₂O₂, or 6% H₂O₂). Each group consisted of six trays containing 30 eggs per tray, totaling 1,080 hatching eggs. Half of the eggs were manually scrubbed using a scouring pad under running tap water, followed by spraying with either 3% or 6% H₂O₂ solution or left untreated. The remaining 540 eggs were not scrubbed and were subjected to the same spraying treatments. Compared to untreated eggs, scrubbing reduced the total bacterial count, coliforms, and Escherichia coli on the eggshell surface by 4.31 log₁₀ cfu/mL, 3.42 log₁₀ cfu/100 mL, and 2.21 log₁₀ cfu/100 mL, respectively ( P < 0.05). Scrubbing also decreased embryonic mortality during days 7 to 30 of incubation and increased cumulative moisture loss during days 1 to 28 of incubation ( P < 0.05), while other hatchability traits were not affected. Additionally, spraying with 3% H₂O₂ improved the hatchability of fertilized eggs and reduced the proportion of unmarketable goslings compared to the 6% H₂O₂ group ( P < 0.05). These findings suggest that scrubbing with a scouring pad under running tap water is an effective method for improving eggshell hygiene without compromising hatchability of goose hatching eggs. When H₂O₂ spray sanitization is applied, a 3% concentration is preferable for maintaining hatchability outcomes.