Abstract

1. Rhode Island Red females were fed, from hatching, on diets which had been fumigated with methyl bromide at the concentration recommended for the elimination of salmonellae or at 1 1/2 times this value. 2. Body weight, egg weight or egg number were not significantly affected by treatments, but sexual maturity may have been slightly delayed. 3. There was some evidence of an adverse effect on egg flavour, particularly by the trained sensory panel. 4. Principles of experimental design for this type of experiment are discussed.