Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Case 5649-A
ZEOL-ITES IN POULTRY HATCHING
The present invention is in the general field of
poultry farming and relates particularly to the treating
of poultry eggs for improving hatching characteristics and
the improved eggs produced thereby.
The demand for poultry and poultry eggs, especially
chickens and chicken eggs has expanded considerably over
the last decade. The poultry industry has grown from a
home industry to a large scale manufacturing industry in
which thousands of chickens and tens of thousands of eggs
are produced daily at single poultry farms or egg laying
installations. Some eggs are produced for eating and some
eggs are produced for hatching. One problem with such
large scale egg producing is egg breakage. Even a slight
crack in an egg makes it unsuitable for hatching and most
other marketing purposes. It is estimated that some six
percent of all eggs produced are lost for marketing
because of cracking or breakage. Shell strength is very
important to inhibit breakage. The stronger the eggshell,
the less likely the egg will be cracked or broken.
Machinery and techniques necessary for carefully handling
the eggs to avoid breakage are expensive and time
;
consuming.
,
',
`: :
'':
~ ~ ' . '~. . ' '
. ,
, . .
. .
Eggs with weak shel:ls a:Lso produce Eewer chic]s,
poorer quality chlcks, and ultimately poorer quality birds
for either eating, layi~g or breecling. As eggshell
strength is increased, the strength o~` the chicX must al50
be increased or hatching will be sever~ly inhibited.
An object of the present inventionlto provide a
treatment of the poultry egg itself whereby hatchiny
parameters (includin~ percentage of hatch) of health and
strength characteristics are improved.
An important object of the present invention is to
provide a means for treating poultry eggs for hatching
whereby heavier or stronger, more vigorous chicXs are
produced. A related object is to provide improved avian
eggs; i.e. eggs with improved hatching characteristics.
Another important object of the present invention
is to provide a means for increasing the health, vigor or
strength of the poultry chicks by treatment of the poultry
egg itself prior to hatching. Other objects are mentioned
below.
U.S. 4,556,564 discloses that the strength of
poultry eggs can be substantially enhanced by adding a
small amount of zeolite A to the diet of the laying
poultry. Similarly, U.S. 4,610,882 and U.S. 4,610,883
disclose that food utilization and liveability are
increased when a small amount of zeolite A is added to the
diet of poultry.
~9 3~CP3~
-- 3 --
Zeoli-tes are crystalline, hydrated a].uminosili.cates
of alkali and alkaline earth cations, hav.ing infin.ite,
three-dimensional structure.s.
Zeolites consist basically of a three-dimensionc
framework of sio~ and AlO~ tetrahedra. The tetrahedra
are crosslinKed by the shariny of oxygen atoms so -that the
ratio of oxygen atoms to the total of the aluminum and
silicon atoms is equal to two or O/(Al ~ Si) = 2. The
electrovalence of each tetrahedra containing aluminum is
balanced by the inclusion in ~he cry~tal of a cation, -for
example, a sodium ion. This balance may be expressed by
; the formula Al/Na = 1. The spaces between the tetrahedra
are occupied by water molecules prior to dehydration.
Zeollte A may be distinguished from other zeolites
and silicates on the basis of composition and X-ray powder
diffraction patterns and certain physical characteristics.
The X-ray patterns for these zeolites are described below.
The composition and density are amony the characteristics
which have been found to be important in identifying these
: 20 zeolites.
The basic formula for all crystalline sodium zeo-
lites may be represented as followso
Na2o Al2o3 xsi2 YH2
:: ~
In general, a particular crystalline zeolite will
have values for "x" and "y" that fall in a definite
.
~ .
, .: ...
.. . :
,, ,
.
~29~
a, -
range. The value "x" for a particular zeolite will vary
somewhat since the aluminum atoms and the silicon atoms
occupy essent1ally equivalent positions in the lattice.
Minor variations in the relative number of these atoms do
5. not significantly alter the crystal structure or physical
properties o~ the zeoli-te. For zeolite A, the "x" value
normally falls within the range 1.85 ~ 0.5.
The value for "y" is not necessarily an invariant
for all samples of zeolites. This is true because various
exchangeable ions are of different size, and, since there
is no major change in the crystal lattice dimensions upon
ion exchange, the space available in the pores of the
: zeolite to accommodate water molecules varies.
The average value for "y" for zeolite A is 5.1.
The formula for zeolite A may be written as follows:
1.0 ~ 0.2 Na20-Al2V3 1.85 ~ 0.5 sio2 yH~O
In the formula, llyl7 may be any ~alue up to 6.
An ideal zeolite A has the following formula:
(NaAlSiO4)1~ 27H2O
:
Among the ways of identifying zeolites and distin
guishing them from other zeolites and other crystalline
substances, the X-ray powder diffraction pattern has been
found to be a useful tool. In obtaining the X-ray powder
diffraction patterns, standard techniques are employed.
O.`. "1';~, ~
.
,, ~ :
:, :
3~7
The radiation is the K doublet of copper and a Geiyer
counter spectrometer with a str:ip chart pen recorder is
used. The peak heights, I, and the positions as a
function of 2~ where ~ is the Bragg angle, are read from a
spectrometer chart. From these, the relative i;ntensities,
100 I/Io, whe~e Io is the intensity o~ the strongest
line or peak and d the interplanar spacing in angstro~s
corresponding to the recorded lines are calculated.
X-ray powder di~fraction data for a sodium zeolite
A are given in Table I.
~ ~,
.
: . , ~
:` . ` ' ' : ,
.
:
~29~3~7
-- 6 --
TABLE I
X-RAY DIFFRACTION PAT'rERN FOR ZEOLITE A
o 100 I
h2 + kZ + 12d ( A ) Io
1 12.29 100
2 8.71 70
3 7.11 35
4 6.15 2
5.51 25
6 5.03 2
8 4.36 6
9 4.107 35
3.895 2
11 3.714 50
13 3.417 16
14 3.293 45
16 3.078 2
17 2.987 55
18 2.904 10
2.754 12
21 2.68~ 4
~` 22 2.626 20
24 2.51S 6
2.464 4
26 2.414 >1
27 2.371 3
29 2.289
2 O 249 3
32 2.177 7
33 2.144 10
~` 30 34 2.113 3
2.083 4
36 2.053 9
41 1.924 7
42 1.901 4
~4 2. a5g 2
1. B37 3
` 49 1.759 2
1.743 13
53 1.692 6
54 1.676 2
1.6~1 2
57 l o 632 4
59 1.604 6
;': .
.
~ .
~ ~ o
--`-~-: :- -
::: : . , . ~~ . :
.
,
, ~ , . . .
~7~37
-- 7 --
The more slgnificant d values for zeolite A are
given in Table II.
TABLE II
MOST SIGNIFICANT d VALUES FOR_ZEOLI~E P~.
5d Value of Re~lection in A
12.2 + 0.2
8.~ + 0.2
7.10 + 0.15
5.50 + 0.10
4.10 ~ 0.10
3.70 + 0.07
3.~0 + 0.06
3.2g + 0.05
2.98 + 0.05
2.62 -~ 0.05
Occasionally, additional lines not belonging to
the pattern for the zeolite appear in a pattern along with
the X-ray lines characteristic of that zeolite. This is
an indication that one or more additional crystalline
materials are mixed with the zeolite in the sample being
tested. Small changes in line positions may also occur
under these conditions. Such changes in no way hinder the
identiflcation of the X-ray patterns as belonging to the
zeolite.
The particular X-ray technique and/or apparatu~
employed, the humidity, the temperature, the orientation
of the powder crystals and other variables, all of which
are well known and understood to those skilled in the art
of X-ray crystallography or diffraction can cause some
.
. ,, ~ ...... ' . . ,. : .
: . , :
.: .
P3~
variations in the intensities and positions o~ the lines.
These changes, even in those few lnstances where they
become large, pose no problem to the skilled X-ray
crystallographer in establishing identities. Thus, the
X-ray data given herein to identi~y the lattice ~or a
zeolite, are not to exclude those materials which, due to
some variable mentioned or otherwise known to those
skilled in the art, fail to show all of the lines, or show
a-few extra ones that are permissible in the cubic system
of that zeolite, or show a slight shift in position o~ the
lines, so as to give a slightly larger or smaller lattice
parameter.
A simpler test described in "American
Mineralogist," Vol. 28, page 545, 1943, permits a quick
check of the silicon to aluminum ratio of the xeolite.
According to the description of the test, zeolite minerals
with a three-dimensional network that contains aluminum
and silicon atoms in an atomic ratio of Al/Si = 2/3 =
0.67, or greater, produce a gel when treated with hydro-
chloric acid. Zeolites having smaller aluminum to silicon
ratios disintegrate in the presence of hydrochloric acid
and precipitate silicaO These tests were developed with
natural zeolites and may vary slightly when applied to
synthetic types.
U. S. Patent No. 2,882,243 describes a process
for making zeolite A comprising preparing a
7~37
g
sodium-aluminum~silicate water mixture having an
SiO2:A12O3 mole ratio of Prom 0.5:1 to 1.5:1, and
Na2O/SiO2 mole ratio of from 0.8:1 to 3:1, and an
H2O/Na2O mole ratio of from 35:1 to 200:1, maintaining
the mixture at a temperature of from 20C. to 175~C. until
zeolite A is formed, and separating the zeolite A from the
mother liquor.
Experiments have been in progress in Japan since
1965 on the use of natural zeolite minerals as dietary
supplements for poultry, swine and cattle. Significant
increases in body weight per unit oE feed consumed and in
the general health of the animals was reported ~Minato,
~ Hideo, Koatsugasu 5:536, 1968). Reductions in malodor
; were also noted.
Using clinoptilolite and mordenits from northern
Japan, Onagi, T. (Rept. Yamagata Stock Raising Inst. 7,
1966) found that Leghorn chickens required less food and
water and gained as much weight in a two-week trial as
birds receiving a control diet. No adverse effects on
health or mortality were noted. The foregoing Japanese
experiments were reported by F. A. Mumpton and P. H.
Fishman in the Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 4S, No. 5
; (1977) pp. 1188-lZ03.
Canadian Patent 939,186 issued to White et al in
1974 discloses the use of zeolites having exchangeable
cations as a feed component in the feeding of urea or
,
:: . . .
;~ ;' ' ' . : : . '
., ~ . .
70;~7
biuret non-protein (NPR) compouncls to ruminants, such as
cattle, sheep and goats. Natural and synthe-tic as well as
crystalline and non-crystalline zeolites are disclosed.
Zeolites tested included natural zeolites, chabazite and
clinoptilolite and synthetic zeolites X, Y, F, J, M, Z,
and A. Zeolite F was by far the most outstanding and
zeolite A was substantially ineffective.
An article by C. Y. Chung et al from Nongsa Sihom
Youngu Pogo 1978, 20 (Livestock) pp. 77-~3 discusses the
effects of cation exchange capacity and particle size of
zeolites on the growth, feed efficiency and feed materials
utilizability of broilers or broiling size chickens.
Supplementing the feed of the broilers with naturally
occurring zeolites~ such as clinoptilolite, some increase
in body weight gain was determined. Chung et al also
reported that earlier results at the Livestock Experiment
Station (1974, 1975, ~976 - Suweon, Korea~ showed that no
significant difference was observed when 1.5, 3, and 4.5
percent zeoIite was added to chicken layer diets.
A study by H. S. Nakau~ of feeding White Leghorn
layers clinoptilolite, reported in 1981 Poultry Science
60:944-949, disclosed no significant differences in
eggshell strength between hens receiving the zeolite in
their diet and hens not receiving the zeolite in their
diet.
,
'
7~3~
1 1 --
In a study at the University of Georgia, hoth
broilers and layers were fed small amounts (about 2~) of
clinoptilolite, a naturally occurriny zeollte from Tilclen,
Texas. The eggshells from the hens receiving zeolite were
sligh~ly more flexible as measured by defo~ation,
slightly less strong as measured by Instron breaking
strength, and had a slightly lower specific gravityO The
differences in eggshell quality were very small. This
type of ~eolite was ineffective in producing a stronger
eggshell. An article written by Larry Vest and John
Shutze entitled "The Influence of Feeding Zeolites to
Poultry Under Field Conditions" summarizing the studies
was presented at Zeo-Agriculture '82.
An important object of the present invention is
to provide an improved treatment for enhancing avian, e.g.
poultry egg hatching characteristics or parameters,
wherein a small amount of zeolite is introduced directly
into the egg prior to hatching.
It is another object of the invention to provide
a poultry egg treatment wherein a small amount of zeolite
~ A is directly introduced into the poultry egg, which is to
; be subsequently hatched, without causing a deleterious
effect on the egg itself.
Another object of the invention is to provide an
improved process for hatching of stronger, more vigorous
and more energetic poultry chicks and turkey poults
3~
~2 -
wherein an effective amount of 2eolite, especially zeolite
A, is added directly to the eggs for producing the poultry
chicks.
still another object of the invention is to cost
effectively increase production of poultry chicks.
Further objects of the presenk invention are to
increase the quality of fertil.Lzed eggs that will be
subsequently hatched, and improve the quality oE poultry
chicks.
Other objects and advantages o~ the invention
will be more ~ully understood from a reading of the
; description and claims hereinafter.
` It has been discovered that the addition of a
relatively small amount of zeolite directly to an egg for
hatching a poultry chick effectively improves the strength
or vigor, or weight of the chick. Zeolite A is the
preferred zeolite and is preferably added in amounts of
from O.OOOOl percent to 0.003 percent of the we~ght of the
egg-
EXAMPLE 1
Hatchinq Eqg Study
An incubation study was conducted in which trace
amounts o a commercial zeolite A were injected into
` hatching eggs the day after day 7 of incubation. The hole
through which the injection took place was sealed with wax
.
I ~
_ ~ .
. ., ~ ~ .
~:
1~ 7~3~7
- 13 -
and the eggs were set in an incubator and hatched out.
Sterile water suspensions of` 50, 100, 250, 500, ~nd 750
ppm of zeolite A were prepared and 0.1 ml po~tions were
injected in each egg in groups of 100 eggs of equal weight
for each treatment. For 6S + 0.1 gram eggs the ~ollowing
chick weights were obtained:
Zeolite A (ppm) 0 50 100 250 500 750
Chick wt (grams) 44.0 44.5 44.7 45.1 45.9 45.2
The water suspensions of zeolite A were prepared
with sterile water, i.e. water free of bacteria or other
harmful substances which might have a deleterious effect
on the chick embryos.
Sterile water should be used in commercial
operations.
The procedure used was to incubate the eggs for 7
days and candle them on the 8th day, injecting the zeolite
A into the air space between the chorioallantoic membrane
and the shell, and then sealing. Only fertile eggs were
injected.
From the foregoing, it is clear that infusion of
zeolite into the eggs substantially improved hatching
parameters or characteristics. As a practical matter and
with the present state of the art, injection of each
individual egg with a suspension of zeolite would not be
economically ~easible. Since the pore size of chicken
e~gshells average 7-9 microns and the preferred zeolite
,
'
37
has an average particle si~e of less than 3 microns,
soaking of the hatching eygs in a zeolite-water suspension
is economical. Concentra-tions of zeolite are generally
limited to avoid suspensions of such high concentrations
that tend to plug the pores of the eggshells and result in
the death of the poultry embryos upon incubakion.
For chicken eggs, waker suspensions of zeol:ite
with a concentration of the zeolite in the water of
200-500 ppm are most preferred. ~eolite concentrations of
100 750 ppm are preferred with zeolite concentrations of
50-2000 ppm or higher, e.g. 3000 ppm, being suitable. The
concentration of the zeolite in the water should be
sufficiently strong to provide an effective increase in
the strength of the poultry chick upon incubation, but not
be of such strength as would have a deleterious e~fect on
the chick embryo.
It can be appreciated that concentrations of
zeolites in water suspensions will vary somewhat with the
type of poultry egg being treated. Larger eggs generally
have larger pore sizes and thus would permit stronger
concentrations. Turkey eggs for example are usually
larger than chicken eggs and their shells have pores that
are much larger in diameter.
In the most preferred method of carrying out the
invention, eggs are incubated for one day at about 100F,
and then placed in the water suspension of zeolite at room
,
~2~37
- 15 -
temperature, i.e., about ~O~F. The zeolite is quickly
absorbed by the eggs. A temperature differential of about
20~F is generally sufficient to provide a desired degree
of absorption as indicated. The temperature of the
suspension is lower than the temperature of the egg. A
temperature differential oE from 1.5 to 30~F or greater
can be used.
Soaking of poultry eggs at day one of incubation
results in increased fertility, i.e. a greater percentage
of the eggs are hakched than would normally be expected.
An improvement in overall hatchability from a present
broiler chicken industry norm of about 82~ to a hatch-
ability approaching 98% is feasible when practicing this
invention.
EXAMPLE 2
This study involved the use of 3000 broiler
chicken eggs. The eggs were randomly divided into five
(5) treatments of 600 eggs per treatment. The 600 eggs
were randomly divided into 6 replicates of 100 eggs each.
Into each egg, 0.1 ml of test suspension or control was
injected by needle into the air space as described in
Example 1.
Egg and chick weight of all hatched chicks were
determined for the entire population. Results were as
follows.
:
.
31 2~ 3~
- 16 -
rrABLE A
POPULATION WEIGHT DATA
Z201ite Average Weight of Chick Ratio*
(PPml Fertile Egqs (g) We ~ht (avq.~ chick wt./
wt.) _
o 65.8a 43.4b 0.659b
250 65.9a 43.9ab 0.667
500 66.Oa 44.4a 0.672a
750 66.1a 44.1ab 0.668a
1000 66.4a ~4.4a 0.669a
*Apparent errors due to rounding
In the above and the following tableg in this Example, the
significance of the superscripts are as follows. In the
columns, data with different superscripts are signifi-
cantly different, and data with the same superscripts are
not, both to the 95% confidence level. Hence, none of the
; fertile egg weight averages in the second column above are
significantly different. In the third column, the chick
weight average, the value for control chicks (0.0 ppm
zeolite injection~ is significantly di~ferent from the
averages for 500 and 1000 ppm, but not for 250 and 750
ppm. The values 43.9 and 44.1 are not significan-tly
different from each other or any other value.
The data indicate that the chicks hatching from
control eggs weighed less than chicks from eygs injected
.- ' ' ~ , ~
~ J~ ~ ~
17 -
with zeolite A (250, 500, 750 and 1000 ppm)~ The data for
chicks from eggs injected with 750 ppm zeolite A is not
significantly different from the controls; this result is
believed to be an artifact.
In the ratio column, 0.659 is signifisantly
different from 0.672, 0.668, and 0.669, but not signifi-
cantly differentfrom 0.667. The four values with the.
superscript "a" are not significantly different from each
other. The value 0.667 is not significantly di~ferent
from any other value in the fourth column, since it has a
superscript which matches a superscript for every other
entry in the column.
When the chicks were hatched, 5 from each repli-
cate were sacrificed and bona data was obtained. The
eggshells from the sacrificed chicks were analyzed to
determine the percant of eggshell ash:
_ weiqht ash x 100 = eggshell ash percent
welght eggshell
The data for the sacrificed chicks is as follcws.
'. ,
.
~29 ~C~3 7
- 18 -
TA~LE B
S~ ~ FICED HAr~ED CHIC~ DATA
Chick TibiaTibiaEggShell Tibia
Zeolite Weight Weight Length Ash Ash
~pm) (gl - (~)(mm) ~ L__ (%)
043.~0.7a 478+8C 27.1+.1b89.7~0.5a 42.7+0.7a
25044.1~0.9a 490+9bC 27.9~.1a84~8+0.7b ~2.8+0.7a
50042.5+0.7a 475+8c 27.8+.2a81.9+0.9C 43.1+0.9a
75045.0~0.5a 499+9ab 27.g+.la84.3~0.8b 43.1+0.9a
100044.1+0.7a 512+11a 27.g+~la89.9+0.6a ~3.0+0 sa
:
The following hatch data was obtained. The eggs
were candled 7 days after they were placed in the incuba-
tor. If an embryo was datected inside the egys, they were
deemed fertile; if no embryo was detected, they were
deemed infertile. The number of eggs that hatched was
:
; divided by the number of fertile eggs to determine fertile
hatch %. m e percentàge of eggs that did not hatch or
show pip(s) is given in the following table. The percent
pips is the number of pipped shells that did not hatch
, 20 divided by the number o~ fertile eggs. (Pipped shells are
those which have been at least partially broken open by
the chick in attempting to hatch.)
,
'' ~
,
,, ~
:, . . ..
. . : :
~f6~ 7
~ 19 --
TABLE C
HATCH DATA
Zeolit~ Fertile Eggs
; _(ppm~ Hatch (%) _ _ ~g %
o 88.0+1.2a10.2+1.1a ~ 0.4a
250 90.9+1.~a9.3-tl.la 0.7~0.~a
500 91.9+1.3a8.1+1.2a 0.8+0.3a
750 88.6+1.7a10.3+1.4a 1.1+0.5a
1000 89.2+1.6a10.3+1.6a 0.5+0.3a
. _
Continuing the study, 45 chicks from each repli-
cate of each treatment (270 birds x 5 treatments for a
total of 1350 chicks) were grown to market weight and
performance-data obtained. Results are set forth in the
tables below.
TABLE D
CHICKS GROWN ?o MARKET WEIGHT (5 x 270 CHICKS~
Body ~leiqht (qrams~ _
Zeolite Weeks _
(ppm) 0 4 7
o 41.3+0.2b897+06a 1932+10b
250 40.9+0.2 909+06a 1965+11ab
500 41.0+0.2b910+05a 1979+10a
750 42.1+0.2a907+05a 197s+~sa
1000 41.1+0.2b914+06a 1985+10a
-- - -- . . .
.
. .
3~
- 20 -
Gain (~rams) __ _
Zeolite Weeks
(ppm) 0-4 4-7 0-7
.
0 865+06a1035+08a 1890t10b
250 868+06a1056+08a 1924+11ab
500 869+05a1068+08a 1938+10a
750 867+06a1072+24a 1943~29a
1000 873+06a1071+06a 1944~10a
It appears that benefits in weight gain and weiyht begin
10 to appear between 4 and 7 weeks.
TABLE E
CHICKS GROWN TO MARKET WEIGHT
Male Body Weight ~grams~ _
Zeolite _ _ Weeks ___ _
15(ppm~_ o 4 ~7__
0 43.3+0.4a 896+13b 2050+20a
250 42.9+0.4a 929+11a 2097+18a
500 43.3+0.4a 950+11a 2095+18a
750 42.9+0.4a 932+11a 2053+21a
201000 43.0+0.4a 867+12b 2031+21a
3'7
~- 21
Female dv Weight (qrams)
Zeolite _ Weeks _ _
m) 0 4 _ 7 __
0 42.7~0.4a 803+10b 1741+15b
5 250 ~2.2+0.3a 792+ gb 1738+15b
500 43.1+0.3a 837+ 8a 1791+15a
750 42.6+0.3a ,806~11b 1764+14ab
1000 43~l+oo4a '799+10b 1780~17~b
. _ _
TABLE F
CHICKS GROWN TO MARKET WEIGHT
Male-weight Gain (grams~
Zeolite __ . Weeks
(ppm) 0-4 4-7 _ 0-7
0 853+12b 1154+13a 2007+20a
15 250 886+10a 1168+14a 2054+18a
500 907+11a 1145+14a 2052+18a
750 889+11a 1121+15a 2010+20a
looo s24+12b ll64+14a l988~21a
__
Female Weiqht Gain (grams~ _ _
20Zeolite __ Weeks _
(ppm) _ 0-4 _ 4-7 0-7
0 761+10b 938+11 1699+15b
250 750+ 9b 946+11a 1696+15b
500 794+ 8a 953+1~a 1748+15a
25 750 763+11b 958+10a 1721+14ab
1000 756+10~ 980+12a 1737+17ab
3~
- 22 -
TABLE G
CHICKS GROWN TO MARKET WEIGHT
Feed Conversion (Feed/~ody Weiqht!
~eolite Weeks __
(ppm) 0-4 _ 4-7 0-7
0 1.24+.03a 2.49~.04a1.92+.02a
250 1.24+.02a 2.48~.05a1.92~.02a
500 1.23+.03a 2.50+.04a1.91+.02a
750 1.24+.03~ 2.52+.04a1.93~.01a
1000 1.25+.03b 2.43+.02al.91+.01a
_ _ _ _ _ .
TABLE H
NON-SACRIFICED CHICRS
Mortalit~ (%) _ __
Zeolite _ Weeks
(Ppm! 0-4 4-7 0-7
0 5.8+1.7 2.5-~0.9 8.3+2.3
250 5.8+1.1 1.6+0.8 7.~+0.9
500 4.2+1.2 1.6+0.8 5.~+1.2
750 ~.3+1.9 2.5+1.3 9.8+2.7
1000 5.0+1.3 4.6+2.3 9.6+1.5
From the above data it appears:
-- Fertile egg weights were not different, hatched
chick weights were statistically different from
controls.
:
~ ' ~
, . . .
:IL2~37
~ 23 -
Chick weight/egg weight ratio appears to have
peaked at 500 ppm.
Tibia lengths for all of the zeolite treated eggs
were statistically greater than the controls.
Percent hatch of fertile eggs were numerically
higher for the zeolite treated egys although not
statistically different.
Percent eggshell ash was lowest for the 500 ppm
level -- the same level at which the chick weight
and chick weight/ egg weight ratio were
greatest. This indicates that more shell was
drawn by the chick during incubation~ Why shell
ash was higher for the 1000 ppm level is still
unexplainable.
.
lS -- Chicks from zeolite treated eggs grow better --
weight gain improvements of 1.8 to 2.9%, statisti-
cally significant at the 50G, 750, and 1000 ppm
levels for the entire growin~ period of 0-7
wee~s. For intermediate periods 0-4 and 4-7 the
improvements are numerically indicated, but not
at the 95% confidence levels.
3'~3~
-- 24 --
-- The weiyht gain advan-tages are more prominent ln
females than in males; this is reflected
statistically.
-- Although no different statistically, the 500 ppm
level was lowest in mortality, whereas the con-
trol and 750 and lOOO ppm were highest. Whether
this indicates that concentrations of 750 ppm ~
1000 ppm should not be used is not yet known and
requires further study.
The results of the test disclose various manifes-
tations of the increased vigor of the organisms treated
with the zeolite. As demonstrated by the data, the
organisms were bigger, converted food better, and grew
better. Furthexmore, there are visual manifestations of
enhanced vigor. Hatching time tends to be reduced. Upon
hatching, the newly hatched chicks tend to be more active,
and more alert. They go to the feed tray and begin to
feed earlier.
The visual evidence of enhanced vigor is even
more pronounced in turkeys. Newly hatched turkey poults
without zeolite treatment are much more inactive than
newly hatched chickens. They can be completely inactive
for up to a whole day after hatching, and are listless for
up to four days. With turkey poults hatched from zeolite-
'; " : ',
3~7
~ 2~ -
treated eggs, the poults are much more active, aler-t, ~nA
they feed more often. The increased vigor in the first
few days is important since this is ordinarily a period
with high mortalitv. I'hus it is clear that the process Oe
this invention produced healthier, higher quality birds,
i.e. birds that are heavier, more vigorous, and more
energekic.
EXAMPLE 3
The ~irst portion of this turkey egg injection
study was done with eggs from very young turkeys on an
experimental farm. ~Ordinarily in the industry, eggs from
very young turkeys give low percentage hatch and poults
are xaised to "fryer" siæe only.) On the farm, the
artificial insemination program was new and overall egg
fertility was still low. Eggs were treated with 0.1 ml of
zeolite A suspension containing 0, 500, and 750 ppm of tha
zeolite. Results were as follows:
3t7~3t7
Zeolite A (ppm in sterile water suspension)
_ 0 _ 500 750
Egg wt. (g~)77.3 ~ 1.0 77.5 + 1.7 75.8 + 1.3
Poult wt. ~grams),
(at hatch)51.8 + loO 52.0 + 1.3 51.3 + 1.1
Poult wt./0y~ wt.
ratio 0.670 + 0.007 0.671 + 0.0090.676 * 0.006
% Hatchability 44.4 42.2 ~8.9
% Mortality to 21.7 9.5 8.0
4 wee~s age
Poult wt. at 4
weeks age (g~s)768 + 37 805 + 38 783 + 28
Wt. gain to 4
weeks age (y~s)716 + 38 754 + 38 732 + 28
Weak legs (at hatch) 8 2 0
Weak legs (at 28 days) 3 0 0
The study was essentially repeated. For the
repetition the turkey flock was now more mature and the
artificial insemination system had been routined. The
improvement in the insemination system is shown by the
percent hatchability data in the following Table when
- compared to the equivalent data in the Table immediately
above. For the repeated experiment the concentrations of
zeolite A were 0, 1000, and 2000 ppm. Again, 0.1 ml of
zeolite suspension was injected into the egg. Results are
as follows:
.
.
' . ' ~ , ,
3~
~ ~7 ~
Zeolite A (ppm in sterile water ~us~ion)
~ 000 _ 2000
Egg wt. (~) 79.3 ~ 1.078.9 + 1.177.4 + 1.2
Pbult wt. (grams),
(at hatch) 53.0 + 0.754.3 + 0.952.5 + 1.1
Poult wt./egg wt.
ratio 0.668 + 0,005b 0.689 + 0.004a 0.678 ~ 0.006'~b
% ~atchability 70 83 83
% Mortality to 16.7 8.3 3.8
4 weeks age
Poult wt. at 4
weeks a~e (grams)751 + 37766 + 23 774-~31
Wt. gain to 4
~ weeks age (~s)698 + 35 712 + 23 721 + 29
; 15 Weak legs (at hatch) 5 0 3
Weak legs (at 28 days~ 3 0 0
a and b are statistically different at the 95%
confidence level.
In both of the above trials, 50 eggs per treat-
ment were used. The ~ggs were incubated for 10 days prior
to injection of the zeolite suspension. Incubation was
continued for the remaining 28 day incubation period for ~
turkey eggs.
After hatching the poults were fed to 4 weeks of
age using a conventional turkey starter ration.
:
' :
`' . . ' '
~ ' ' ' ',:
3~)
~ ~8 -
From the above it appears the zeolite treatment
resulted in:
1. Improved poult wt./egg wt. ratio.
2. Improved percent hatch.
3. Stronger poults at hatch (the weak leg condition
is referred to as "spraddle legs" by the turkey
; industry).
Stronger poults (less weak legs) at 4 weeks of
age.
4. Better weight gains to 4 weeks oE age.
5. Better liveability (less mortality).
Best results appear to be at 750-1000 ppm
concentrations.
It was noted that poults from eggs injected with
zeolite A initiate hatch from 12 to 24 hours earlier than
poults from the controlled eggs. This clearly demon-
strates that poults resulting from treatment according to
the process of this invention are stronger and therefore
able to pip their shells sooner.
, ,
EX~MPLE 4
; The objective of this study was to determine the
feasi~ility of spraying hatching eggs with zeolite sus-
pension at the farm before transport to the hatchery~ To
enhance uptake of the suspension of the zeolite, the
: '' ~' .: .~ '
..
.
~ 2~7~
- 29 -
suspension was chilled in an ice water bath prior to
spraying. The eggs to be sprayed were at room tempera-
ture. For the study 150 eygs for each treatment were
used. The results appear in the following Table. The
superscripts a and b in the Table have the same
significance as above.
Broiler Egq Spray S-tudy (Screening Study)
Zeolite
SuspensionEgg Wt. Chick Wt. Ratio Chick Wt./
10 ppm _ q Egq/Wt.
0 66.67a 43.40a .550b
500 67.00a 43.60a .651b
750 66.53a 44.07a .662a
1000 66.55a 42.96a .645b
151250 67.06a 43.36a .647b
1500 66.97a 43.81a .654ab
Only the 750 ppm level was clearly different in
ratio at the 95% confidence level.
~'
EXAMPLE 5
As hens get older, the fertility of their eggs
decreases such that the percent of eggs that hatch is
markedly reduced when compared to eggs from younger more
robust hens. In the industry, hens are usually kept only
until they are 62-65 weeks of age. The study reported in
this Example utilized broiler breeder hens that were 70
~2~7~37
30 -
weeks old when the study was initiated. For the study,
100 eggs for each treatment were employed. The results
are as follows:
Sprayinq Fg~s from Old Broiler Breeder Hens
Zeolite % % Hatch of % Hatch of
ppm in Spray Fertility Fertile Egys Total egqs Set
0 63.5 73.8 46.~
250 69.2 68.5 41.2
500 6~.1 86.0 ~5.0
10750 65.8 78.0 51.3
1000 70.B 75.4 53.2
The above results indicate that treatment of eggs
from old chicken breeder hens with a zeolite according to
the process of this invention can increase the percentage
; 15 of eggs that hatch.
The addition of as little as 30 micrograms of
zeolite A to a 60 gram hatching egg results in a 0.5 gram
heavier chick at hatching.
Significant chick weight improvements are
achieved when zeolite suspensions are injected directly
into the egg air space.
Haavier hatched chicks grow faster and convert
feed more efficiently than smaller chicks. Industry and
literature data indicates that a 1.9 gram heavier chick
translates into at least a 6~ heavier broiler at grow-
out. This result reduces the grow-out period by 3 days
and cost of production by almost 4%~
.
-: - . . . . . . .
~.2~03~7
~ 31 -
The term poultry as used herein includes all
domestic fowl, namely chickens, turkeys, ducks, yeese, and
the like.
Eggs of broiler breeders, commercial lavers and
turkeys are especially suitable for treatment with
zeolites.
From the above it is clear that the addition of a
zeolite such as a zeolite A to the eggshell oE poultry can
produce a chick or poult of improved quality, i.e. a chick
or poult having at least one improved characteristic.
Chicks or poults of this invention are stronger, i.eO less
weak than chicks or poults produced from untreated eggs.
Chicks or poults are more vigorous. They grow faster, or
convert food better. They are more alert and more
active. Heavier chicks or poults are produced when eggs
are treated according to this invention. Thus increased
vigor exists prior to hatching. Furthermore, eggs take
less time to hatch, and eggs from older hens are more
likely to hatch. Thus, it is clear that khe invention
provides an improvement in avian hatching characteristics.
From the above it is clear that thisinvention improves a
number of hatching parameters or charactistics, improves
avian quality, provides stronger birds, more vigorous
organisms. The improved strength, vigor and quality exist
in the embryo and the hatched organism.
'':
: ,,
~'76~
32 -
The percent hatch improvement, evident in
Examples 2, 3 ~ 5 with both broiler and turkey eggs, is of
particular economic import. It allows a producer to
maintain chick or poult output with fewer breeder hens,
thereby reducing a very expensive unit operating cost
factor. Furthermore, the practice of this invention will
result in more of the egys set in incubators hatching into
vigorous chicks or poults. The present cost of broiler
chicken eggs is about U. S. $0~16 each and turkey eggs
U. S. $1.25 each. Accordingly, it is apparent that
reduction in these cost items will also reduce overall
costs substantially.
Eggs from avian species other than domestic
poultry may also benefit from zeolite treatment. Among
these are included Bob White quail and pheasants grown for
release in game preserves, pidgeons grown for squab
delicacy or for racing sport, and other birds grown for
show birds and for bird fanciers.
It is suggested that this invention can be ex-
tended to use with other non-domesticated avian species.
More and more frequently, breading pairs, eggs, and
immature young of rare and/or endanyered species are being
raised and managed in programs directed to prevention of
species extinction. It is believed khat good results of
the type described above could be obtained by treating
eggs of such birds with zeolite A or a similar zeolite in
' . ' ' '~ ' '
. .
7~3t7
~ 33 -
It is suggested that this invention can be ex-
tended to use with other non-domesticated avian species.
More and more frequently, breeding pairs, eggs, and
immature youny of rare and/or endangered species are being
raised and managed in programs directed to prevention of
species extinction. It is believed that good results of
the type described above could be obtained by treating
eggs of such birds with zeolite A or a similar zeolite in
order to improve the guality, health, weight or strength
of chicks hatched rom the treated eggs. Thus, this
invention may be useful in developing ]arger, more stable
populations of avian species that may othexwise become
Pxtinct-
It is also suggested that eggs of endangered
reptilian species, e.g. turtles, may also be treated
according to the method of this invention.
.
.
' ~
