Application of Dry Hydrogen Peroxide (DHP) Gas to Methods of Poultry Production

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.

1 - 132 . (canceled) 
     
     
         133 . An incubator for poultry eggs comprising an enclosure; a temperature control system; and an air circulation system including a DHP gas generating system. 
     
     
         134 . The incubator for poultry eggs of  claim 133 , wherein said DHP gas generating system comprises a source of ultraviolet (UV) light and an air-permeable substrate structure having a catalyst on its surface and configured to generate DHP. 
     
     
         135 . The incubator for poultry eggs of  claim 133 , further comprising an environmental control unit. 
     
     
         136 . The incubator for poultry eggs of  claim 133 , further comprising an egg turning system. 
     
     
         137 . The incubator for poultry eggs of  claim 133 , further comprising a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) sensing system. 
     
     
         138 . The incubator for poultry eggs of  claim 133 , further comprising a clean air plenum. 
     
     
         139 . The incubator for poultry eggs of  claim 133 , wherein said air circulation system comprises one or more fans. 
     
     
         140 . The incubator for poultry eggs of  claim 139 , wherein said air circulation system is a laminar flow system. 
     
     
         141 . The incubator for poultry eggs of  claim 139 , wherein said fans are variable control fans. 
     
     
         142 . The incubator for poultry eggs of  claim 133 , wherein said enclosure is a cabinet or a room. 
     
     
         143 . The incubator for poultry eggs of  claim 133 , further comprising a humidifier. 
     
     
         144 . The incubator for poultry eggs of  claim 133 , wherein said incubator is a single-stage incubator. 
     
     
         145 . The incubator for poultry eggs of  claim 133 , wherein said incubator is a multi-stage incubator. 
     
     
         146 . A method for incubating eggs comprising:
 a) obtaining eggs for hatching;   b) placing said eggs into an incubator capable of producing dry hydrogen peroxide (DHP) gas at a concentration of between 0.001 parts per million (ppm) and 10 ppm;   c) a first incubating of said eggs in said incubator for between 1 and 18 days in the presence of DHP gas at a concentration of between 0.001 parts per million (ppm) and 10 ppm and a temperature of between 37° C. and 38° C.   
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 146 , further comprising a second incubating of said eggs for between 1 to 5 days, or until hatching is complete, in the presence of dry hydrogen peroxide (DHP) at a concentration of between 0.001 parts per million (ppm) and 10 ppm. 
     
     
         148 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein said second incubating is in a second incubator. 
     
     
         149 . The method of  claim 146 , wherein said DHP gas concentration is at least 0.01 ppm. 
     
     
         150 . The method of  claim 146 , wherein said DHP gas concentration is at least 0.05 ppm. 
     
     
         151 . The method of  claim 146 , wherein said eggs for hatching are stored at a temperature below physiological zero and dilute hydrogen peroxide (DHP) gas at a concentration between 0.001 and 5 parts-per-million (ppm) of DHP gas for between 1 and 7 days prior to step (b). 
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 146 , wherein said incubator is maintained at a relative humidity of between 40% and 70%.