The Effect of Low Level Pesticide Feeding on the Fertility and Hatchability of Chicken Eggs

Abstract

Ninety-six White Leghorn pullets housed in individual laying cages were used to study effects of low level pesticide in feed on fertility and hatchability of eggs in a 10 week experiment. Pullets housed under similar conditions in a separate building served as controls. Hens were fed a commercial breeder ration. Feed samples were negative when analyzed for pesticides. DDT, Diazinon, lindane or malathion were added to the feed at rates of 0.1, 1.0 or 10.0 p.p.m. Commercially produced wettable powders were used to incorporate the insecticides in the feed. Hens were artificially inseminated twice each week using pooled semen from 10 males. Two test hatches at an interval of four weeks were incubated to determine levels of fertility and hatchability prior to pesticide feeding. Eggs produced were incubated beginning on the third day of pesticide feeding. Settings were made at weekly intervals with fertility determined on the seventh day of incubation. Pre-test fertility averaged 95% and hatchability 92% of fertile eggs. Fertility during the experimental period ranged from 96.1 to 99.0%. Hatchability of the control group during the experiment was 94.1%. All pesticides used except 0.1 p.p.m malathion significantly (P < .05) reduced hatchability. Embryonic mortality was increased throughout the incubation period. Egg shell thickness was significantly reduced by lindane and DDT. Egg production was reduced by all pesticides fed.