Cleaning and Disinfection of Poultry Houses

Keeping poultry houses, coops, and other enclosures clean is one of the best ways to prevent germs from spreading among poultry flocks.

Effective cleaning and disinfection is an essential component of good hygiene and thus one of the key biosecurity measures for disease control. This should be carried out from time to time to reduce the build –up of pathogenic organisms and a disinfectant known to be effective against a large range of pathogens should be used regularly for prevention of ingress of the infection.

Properly performing cleaning and disinfection (C &D) processes decreases pathogen levels on surfaces and reduces exposure risks.

• C&D is an essential component of biosecurity on farms

• C&D is critical for disease containment and elimination during disease outbreaks and also serves as a layer of protection against novel or emerging diseases.

However, the C&D process is often not done correctly. When efforts are ineffective, the destruction of disease-causing organisms can be inadequate, resulting in exposure to disease agents and further spread of microorganisms.

Successful C&D involves understanding the key principles and steps for the process, choosing the best method, and recognizing any limitations. This document addresses this information as well as factors to consider when setting up a C&D program, common failures in disinfection programs, and how to address health and safety issues.