[Demonstration of a protocol for obtaining germ-free chickens]

A simple and reliable technique for obtaining germ-free chickens was investigated. Various disinfection tests of the material and the eggs have been performed with chemical agents. The weak frequency of internal contamination of the eggs (0.4 p. 100), if collected in good hygienic conditions and dipped the same day in a I per 100 solution of mercuric chloride, allows sterile hatchings in 100 fertilized eggs batches to be obtained. The sterilization of the isolator-hatching box was performed by pulverization of a I per 100 solution of quaternary ammonium, followed by a formaldehyde fumigation. The material passed through an antiseptic bath (liquid-lock) of I per 100 quaternary ammonium in water. This technique yielded 250 chickens, in 12 successive lots, that were bred until 15 days to 6 weeks, without bacteriological contamination.