The Importance of Egg Hygiene in Goose Production

Egg contamination is a major concern in poultry production, especially for species like geese that are often raised in floor-based or free-range environments. Factors such as exposure to feces, feathers, bedding, and water sources contribute to microbial contamination, adversely affecting embryonic development, hatchability, and the overall quality of goslings.

Evaluating Egg Sanitation Methods

A recent study in a commercial hatchery in Taiwan explored two practical sanitation approaches for goose hatching eggs. The study focused on White Roman goose eggs, evaluating the effectiveness of mechanical scrubbing under running tap water versus spraying with hydrogen peroxide at different concentrations. The research aimed to determine the impact of these treatments on key aspects such as microbial load, embryonic mortality, hatchability, and gosling quality under realistic production conditions.

Eggs were collected from breeder geese in natural open-floor settings and compared across two methods: scrubbed versus non-scrubbed eggs, and eggs treated with either 3% or 6% hydrogen peroxide. Scrubbing involved manual cleaning using a scouring pad under running tap water, while hydrogen peroxide was applied as a fine spray to ensure complete shell coverage.

Results: The Efficacy of Scrubbing

Scrubbing proved to be an extremely effective method for reducing eggshell contamination. The study found that total bacterial counts, including levels of coliforms and Escherichia coli, were reduced by over 99% compared to untreated eggs. Moreover, this method significantly lowered mid-to-late embryonic mortality, indicating a positive influence on embryo survival during incubation stages. Notably, while scrubbing did lead to increased moisture loss during incubation, it did not adversely affect hatchability, gosling body weight, or the number of marketable goslings.

Hydrogen Peroxide Efficiency

In contrast, the use of hydrogen peroxide resulted in modest and generally non-significant reductions in microbial counts. Eggs treated with 3% hydrogen peroxide showed comparable hatchability and embryo survival rates to untreated eggs while yielding slightly heavier goslings. However, 6% hydrogen peroxide was linked to decreased hatchability and a higher rate of unmarketable goslings, suggesting a potential embryotoxic effect at that concentration.

Conclusions and Practical Implications

The study concluded that mechanical scrubbing outperforms chemical sanitation methods when it comes to effectively removing contaminants, particularly when organic matter obscures bacteria on the shell surface. While hydrogen peroxide is a cost-effective, user-friendly option that breaks down into harmless water and oxygen residues, concentration is crucial. The 3% solution appears to be effective for sanitation without compromising embryo viability, while higher concentrations might pose risks.

These findings are imperative for goose hatcheries, where routine water spraying during incubation is already part of the process. Though scrubbing is labor-intensive and less practical for large-scale operations, it highlights the need for automated or semi-automated washing systems tailored specifically for goose production.

In summary, the research advocates for scrubbing with running water as an optimal method for enhancing goose eggshell hygiene and decreasing embryonic mortality. Additionally, it positions 3% hydrogen peroxide as a viable and safer alternative to traditional formaldehyde treatments. These insights provide hatcheries with actionable guidance to improve biosecurity and hatch performance amid increasing concerns regarding the safety of conventional disinfectants.