Poultry Science & Management

Fumigation of poultry sheds is conventionally executed using potassium permanganate ($\text{KMnO}_4$) and formalin (40% formaldehyde solution) in a 1:2 weight-to-volume ratio.

• Standard $1\times$ fumigation concentration requires $20\text{ g } \text{KMnO}_4$ and $40\text{ mL}$ formalin per $100\text{ cu.ft}$.
• For effective pre-placement terminal shed disinfection without live birds, a $3\times$ concentration is recommended:
  $$3\times\text{ dose per }100\text{ cu.ft} = 60\text{ g } \text{KMnO}_4 + 120\text{ mL formalin}$$
• For a $500\text{ cu.ft}$ shed:
  $$\text{KMnO}_4 = 5 \times 60\text{ g} = 300\text{ g}$$
  $$\text{Formalin} = 5 \times 120\text{ mL} = 600\text{ mL}$$
  
  Option breakdown:
• $200\text{ g & }200\text{ mL}$ violates the 1:2 chemical reaction stoichiometric ratio.
• $300\text{ g & }600\text{ mL}$ provides the exact $3\times$ concentration needed for full shed disinfection.
• $300\text{ g and }300\text{ mL}$ lacks adequate formalin volume.
• $200\text{ g & }400\text{ mL}$ represents a $2\times$ concentration.

Assertion (A) is true: In the setter (days 1 to 18 for chicken eggs), eggs are placed vertically with the broad end (containing the air cell) facing upward to ensure normal embryo orientation. On day 18, eggs are transferred to the hatcher baskets and placed horizontally (flat) so that chicks have space and freedom of movement to pip the shell circumference and emerge freely.
Reason (R) is false: Placing eggs in a vertical position (not horizontal) saves space in the setter. In the hatcher, placing eggs horizontally occupies more space per egg rather than saving space.

Option breakdown:

• Both are not true because (R) is factually incorrect.
• (R) is false.
• is true but (R) is false.
• is not false.

In yellow-skinned laying breeds (e.g., White Leghorn), dietary xanthophyll pigment is redirected from the skin to the egg yolk during active laying, resulting in progressive pigment bleaching (depigmentation). The strictly defined anatomical order of bleaching is:

• Vent (bleaches after 3 to 8 days / ~4 to 6 eggs) -> (C)
• Eye ring and ear lobe (bleaches after 10 to 14 days) -> (B)
• Beak (from base to tip, takes 4 to 6 weeks) -> (A)
• Shanks (takes 4 to 6 months of continuous laying) -> (D)
• Hocks and tops of toes (last to bleach).