First, the layout of the hatchery should have a one-way system starting with a room for receiving the eggs, progressing through loading of the egg racks, incubation, chicks-breaking out, waiting room, loading room for day-old chicks and finally to the area for shipping out. Each brooding room must be designed to facilitate thorough cleaning and sterilization and have a ventilating system set up to inhibit contaminated air and dust from entering or being re-circulated.

Secondly, proper selection and collection of fertilized eggs and prompt disinfection. The eggs produced by the breeders should be cleaned as a matter of routine with the timely removal of surface deposits. Badly contaminated eggs and eggs with cracked shells should be eliminated.

Thirdly, before incubation, incubators, egg racks for incubation, breeding eggs and egg-breaking equipment should be cleaned and disinfected.

Fourthly, vehicles carrying chicks and equipment should be given a thorough cleaning to prevent cross infection.

Fifthly, in the current conditions all chickens and chicks should be vaccinated under the guidance of the local veterinary health administration

(China.org.cn February 13, 2004)