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Influence of Slat Material on Hatching Egg Sanitation and Slat Disinfection

J. E. Sander^*, J. L. Wilson, I. -H. Cheng^* and P. S. Gibb

^* Department of Avian Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602

Correspondence: J. E. Sander, E-mail: jsander{at}arches.uga.edu

Where an egg is laid has significant influence on the degree of surface bacterial contamination. Bacterial counts on shell surfaces from the eggs of broiler breeder hens housed in partial slat pens revealed that the eggs laid in litter material (1.75 x 10⁹ cfu/mL) were significantly dirtier than eggs laid in the nest (6.96 x 10⁴ cfu/mL) or on the slats (3.87 x 10⁵ cfu/mL). The type of raised slat used in broiler breeder houses influenced the degree of bacterial contamination accumulating on the slats over the life of the flock. Wood and plastic slats harbored more bacteria than polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coated wire slats before and after the slats were washed and disinfected. But wood and plastic slat materials also had a greater surface area. There was no difference in effectiveness of bacterial reduction when a quaternary ammonium compound (4.37 x 10⁷ cfu/mL) or a phenolic compound (6.43 x 10⁶ cfu/mL) was used to disinfect the slats. Eggs laid on slats with square openings, regardless of surface area, were significantly cleaner than eggs laid on wooden slats.

Key Words: bacteria • disinfection • hatching egg • slat