Floor eggs: Hatchability, microbiological analysis, and effects of post-hatch use of ceftiofur on performance of broiler chicks

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the effects of egg type (nest clean or floor eggs) on eggshell microbiological, hatching performance, chick quality, yolk sac microbiology, and the interaction between egg type and post-hatch use of ceftiofur on broiler performance at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days. A total of 2500 fertile eggs were obtained from a commercial flock of Cobb Slow® broiler breeders. Half of the eggs were collected directly from the floor, and the other half were collected from the nests. Microbiological evaluation of eggshells was performed before and after sanitization. After hatching, 420 male chicks were randomly selected and distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme, separated by the type of egg (clean nest or floor) and the inclusion or not of subcutaneous ceftiofur, totaling four treatments. Egg type did not influence hatchability although the contamination level was 1.3% higher. The body weight and body weight gain of chicks at seven days were greater for chicks from nest eggs that received ceftiofur than chicks from floor eggs that also received ceftiofur. There was no interaction between the studied factors or individual effects for performance at 14, 21, 28, and 35 days. It is concluded that incubation of floor eggs, after standard sanitization, does not influence the hatch results and chick quality. Furthermore, it has been proven that the use of ceftiofur is unnecessary when there is correct management during broiler rearing.

Keywords: Antibiotic; Contaminated eggs; Dirty eggs; Incubation; Residue analysis.