Application of Dry Hydrogen Peroxide (DHP) gas to methods of poultry production
Inventors
Lee, James D. • STEPHENS, James Russell
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12102063-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
An improved poultry production method comprising providing dry hydrogen peroxide (DHP) to poultry eggs, chicks and birds, and devices for providing DHP to poultry production during laying, incubating, hatching, and growing.
Core Innovation
The disclosed method improves poultry production by treating poultry eggs in a hatchery with dry hydrogen peroxide (DHP) gas. Poultry eggs are stored below physiological zero before transfer to an incubation room, where they are incubated while continuously treated with DHP in a protected area reducing air exchange, and at least a portion of the treated eggs are hatched to provide chicks. The disclosure describes DHP as a non-hydrated gas that diffuses through porous eggshells.
The disclosure addresses egg microbial contamination, pests, disease transmission, and hatchery outcomes without corrosive or embryo-damaging effects attributed to conventional liquid or vaporized peroxide. The treatment reduces pathogen loads and improves production outcomes, including hatchability, chick quality, cull rates, and early chick mortality. DHP-generating systems are further described for treating egg storage rooms, incubators, facilities, and equipment.
Claims Coverage
The claims identify one independent claim comprising three inventive features directed to a hatchery method for improving poultry production using dry hydrogen peroxide gas.
Storage and transfer of poultry eggs
The method places poultry eggs in an egg storage room, stores at least a portion below physiological zero, and transfers at least a portion to an incubation room.
Continuous dry hydrogen peroxide treatment during incubation in a protected area
During incubation, poultry eggs are continuously treated with dry hydrogen peroxide gas, wherein the incubator is located in a protected area that reduces air exchange with the environment outside the incubation room to prevent dilution.
Hatching treated eggs
The method hatches at least a portion of the treated eggs to provide a plurality of chicks.
The independent claim combines egg storage below physiological zero, transfer to an incubation room, continuous dry hydrogen peroxide gas treatment in a protected area restricting air exchange, and hatching of treated eggs to provide chicks.
Stated Advantages
Reduced egg microbial contamination, reduced bacterial load, and lower pathogen concentration compared to eggs placed in the storage room.
Improved hatchery outcomes, including increased total and fertile hatchability, greater chick weight, and enhanced uniformity.
Reduced cull rates, fewer unhatched eggs, and fewer second-quality chicks following hatchery treatment.
Lower early chick mortality, including reduced seven-day mortality.
Reduction of pests and disease transmission across poultry facilities and equipment.
Documented Applications
Treatment of poultry eggs with dry hydrogen peroxide gas during storage and incubation in a hatchery, followed by hatching to provide chicks.
Treatment of chicks with dry hydrogen peroxide gas during hatching.
Dry hydrogen peroxide-generating systems and treatment for egg storage rooms, incubators, poultry facilities, and equipment to reduce pests and disease transmission.
Interested in licensing this patent?