Application of Andersen Sampler in Hatchery Sanitation

Abstract

HATCHERY sanitation has attracted the attention of several workers in the past. However, the inaccurate methods applied and inconclusive results reported have, thus far, made it impossible to effectively evaluate hatchery sanitation procedures. Andersen (1958) described an air sampler and discussed its applications. He stated that the sampler permitted the trapping, detecting and accurate counting of the viable pathogens in polluted air (aerosol). Recently Chute and Gershman (1960) reported on the use of Andersen sampler** in determining the microbial population of the air in nine hatcheries. Their studies indicated that the microbial population of the air varied from hatchery to hatchery and was not influenced by the season of the year or the makes of incubators (setters) and hatchers. They proposed arbitrary figures to be used in evaluation of hatchery cleanliness. The subject of hatchery sanitation is of a complex nature. Knowing that a “clean chick” is likely to hatch …