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How – and when – to clean the chicken coop

WELCOME TO A NEW CHAPTER OF THE #ASKTHEEXPERT COLUMN WITH MAURIZIO ARDUIN – CENTRO STUDI RÈGIA STAZIONE SPERIMENTALE DI POLLICOLTURA!

Cleaning and hygiene in the chicken coop: how to do it?

In order to prevent sanitary problems in the poultry house, it is necessary to reduce the parasite load.

This is mainly achieved by a correct concentration of birds in the house.

As far as cleaning is concerned, it is advisable to rake the permanent litter once a week, removing coarse material such as animal feathers.

Radical cleaning of the poultry house can be done once a year, taking care to also clean feeders, drinkers and other poultry equipment.

First of all, dirt and organic material must be meticulously removed, removing the bulk of the dirt (litter, feathers, etc.).

Then proceed with the removal of encrustations of various kinds (excrement, secretions, etc.) using water and common detergents (soap); the strong jet of water from a high-pressure cleaner can facilitate and reduce the time required for this operation.

When the surfaces of the shelters are perfectly clean, disinfection is carried out using suitable liquid substances to be applied, after dilution, by means of a spray pump.

The most commonly used disinfectants are chlorhexidine, chloride of lime, Formalin (40% formaldehyde solution), sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and quaternary ammonium salts.

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