Comparison of pressure differential procedures for dipping turkey hatching-eggs in gentamicin solution

Studies have shown that antibiotics introduced into hatching eggs can destroy certain egg-borne bacterial pathogens. An investigation was made to determine an effective procedure to introduce gentamicin solutions into turkey eggs. The findings showed that a pressure differential (PD) method using a reduced pressure of 38 cm. (15 inches) Hg for 15 minutes followed by an absorption period of 15 minutes at atmospheric pressure was an effective method which did not cause excessive egg cracking nor adversely effect hatchability. In excess of two times more fluid was absorbed using a PD method compared to an established temperature differential procedure. For maximum absorption, eggs should be washed at collection time and stored for a period of up to two weeks prior to dipping.