Effects of ultrasonic treatment on eggshell microbial activity, hatchability, tibia mineral content, and chick performance in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eggs.

The purpose of this study was to establish the effects of ultrasonic treatment of eggs on egg weight loss, hatchability, tibia mineral content, chick performance, and eggshell microbial activity. A total of 600 fresh eggs was randomly divided into 5 groups. Treatments were no ultrasound, 35 kHz for 5 min, 35 kHz for 10 min, 35 kHz for 15 min, and eggs sprayed with benzalkonium chloride solution at 0.02% (negative control). The eggshell microbial activity was reduced significantly at all ultrasonic treatments (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences among treatments for egg weight loss, hatchability, embryonic mortality, chick weight, or tibia Ca, P, K, Na, and Mg content.