Poor sanitation causes not only poor hatch but subsequent early death loss during brooding. It can also cause a lingering morbidity problem that sometimes affect the birds during the grow-out period. Losses during the brooding and grow-out period caused by poor hatchery sanitation can cause more monetary loss than the loss from poor hatchability. Let's assume you are setting clean, well cared-for eggs. The most important tools available for use in cleaning and disinfecting an incubator and hatcher are water, detergent, and elbow grease .
Some people mistakenly think disinfecting agents are the answer to their problems.
They think disinfectants can replace poor cleaning, but this simply is not true. Some disinfectants are more effective in the presence of organic matter than others. Cresol, cresylic acid, and coal tar disinfectants are the most effective disinfectants in the presence of organic matter. Since they are corrosive and emit noxious and toxic gases, they are not normally used in incubators, but in cleaning and disinfecting bird houses and pens. Since the incubator and its components should be cleaned free of organic matter before applying a disinfectant, quats are a good choice.