| Summary Information |
| Type of
technique |
Health
& Management / Bird
Husbandry and Management / Incubation of Birds /
Techniques: |
| Synonyms and
Keywords |
CH2O, Formalin
(Disinfectant) |
| Description |
For fumigation of eggs prior
to storage, use1.35ml of 40% formalin solution and 0.84g potassium permanganate per cubic
foot of air space (B106); 35ml
formalin (See Formalin (Disinfectant))
plus 17.5g potassium permanganate (B115.4.w1); approximately 1g potassium permanganate KMnO4 to 2ml formalin (B32.1.w34).
Empty incubators and hatchers may be fumigated using double this concentration (B106). Double
concentration (70ml formalin plus 35g potassium permanganate) suggested for incubators in
which an egg has exploded, or in which disease has been causing problems (B115.4.w1).
- Close incubator vents
- Potassium permanganate powder is placed in an earthenware, porcelain or
heat-tempered glass container inside the space to be fumigated.
- Add formalin solution.
- Shut door immediately.
- Leave for thirty minutes.
- Remove container, leaving doors open for a few minutes to air out.
|
| Appropriate Use (?) |
- May be used for eggs before incubation has started, and at lower
concentration (0.5ml 40% formalin and 0.2g potassium permanganate) in mid incubation e.g.
one and two weeks after the start of incubation (B106).
- May be used to fumigate empty incubators and hatchers at twice the
concentration used for eggs (B106).
- Caution and good ventilation required.
- Penetrates crooks and crannies
|
| Notes |
- Most effective in a moist atmosphere.
- If fumigation is required while early-incubation (first five days) eggs
are present, or eggs of unknown stage of incubation, remove these to another incubator
until fumigation is completed.
- Disinfection may be used for both incubators and eggs as a safer
alternative.
|
| Complications / Limitations / Risk |
- Formalaldehyde gas is toxic and great care must be taken in its
use. It is carcinogenic and it is irritant to conjunctiva and mucous membranes.
- Violent exothermic (heat-producing reaction. An ordinary glass container
is liable to break due to the heat and a plastic container would melt. A metal container
may interact with the chemicals.
- Highly toxic to newly-set eggs (first five days) and in eggs
which are hatching (B106, B115).
- Fumigation should be used in addition to cleaning, not regarded as a
substitute.
- Goggles and a respirator mask should be worn to minimize risk to the
operator.
- Not suitable for use on eggs at an unknown stage of incubation.
|
| Equipment / Chemicals required and Suppliers |
- Potassium permanganate
- 40% formalin (Formalin (Disinfectant))
solution
- Earthenware, porcelain or heat-tempered glass container
- Accident-proof containers to keep the chemicals in.
|
| Expertise level / Ease of Use |
This technique requires care
and precision of calculations to produce the correct concentration of formaldehyde for
disinfection and to minimize the potential for toxic effects on the eggs or the operator. |
| Cost / Availability |
Inexpensive. |
| Legal and Ethical Considerations |
- Potassium permanganate is poisonous. Formalin is irritant,
caustic and toxic (N.B. carcinogenic). Care must be taken in both the storage of the
chemicals and the use of formaldehyde for disinfection.
- Health and safety regulations should be consulted prior to the
use of formaldehyde fumigation and may prohibit its use in the workplace.
|
| Author |
Debra Bourne |
| Referee |
|
| References |
B12.5.w10, B32.1.w34, B106, B115 |