Essential oils to clean chicken coop

[aart]

Beware that essentials oils are often irritating to the lungs.
We might like the way they smell, but birds have very sensitive respiratory systems.

If you're having odor issues, covering it up with perfumes isn't the answer...
...ventilation and bedding/cleaning might need to be looked at.

 

[Lilalienangel]

It isn't just about smelling pretty. Tea Tree oil alone has many antiseptic and disinfectant properties. Used properly it is awesome. Yes, it is easily smelled still after cleaning with the mentioned solution. A human nose can't smell it when it dries. My chickens are in their coop at night in freezing temperatures I haven't had an issue yet. If I do I'll let you know. That solution has been a godsend to me. Costs very little to make and I use it for everything but washable laundry. It even works as a fabric freshener. There is alot more to essential oils depending on the properties of the initial herb of course. Thank you for that though. That is definately something people should remember. Tea tree for instance (when used in a diffuser) can kill your pet!!! It works great repelling mice and roaches though... Just use proven formulas and know what you are working with.

 

[Folly's place]

I just googled research on TTO as disinfectant, and the gist of the paper I read talked about using a 2% solution, including a surfactant, because it doesn't mix with water (being an oil). The range of usefulness in killing bacteria, fungus, and viruses varied a fair amount too. The 2% mix seemed to be a reasonable solution that would kill a fair cross section of nasties though.
Nothing was said about very difficult viruses, like parvovirus, for example.
I'm terrible at figuring solutions, but one liter of liquid with 2% TTO would need to include 20mls of TTO, right? Not twenty drops.
Mary

 

[Lilalienangel]

I honestly don't know. However, I know it works for me. My family was in a near homeless situation and we had to take the first place we found. It was either that or steal the new dumpster to live in. It had mold,roaches, and mice so bad one literally ran up and stole food from my daughter's plate! With this and homemade poison balls(mostly borax) I got rid of all of it and haven't had an issue with any of it since. Like I said I use it on everything. Tea tree oil isn't the only ingredient. Vinegar too

 

[Lilalienangel]

20 ml seems excessive and painful if touched

 

[Folly's place]

Acetic acid (vinegar) offends some organisms, and has zero effect on others. I wouldn't count on it as a disinfectant. It helps a bit, but that's all.
Mary

 

[Lilalienangel]

I know what worked. That's all.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree about the volume of TTO mentioned in the research paper as being somewhat effective, compared to this '20 drops' recipe.
That would be enough to scent the mixture, but is it effective? Show the actual research!
Anyway, it's not possible to really disinfect most chicken coops, including mine. Wooden structures, especially older ones, just aren't that cleanable.
I want my kitchen counters and dishes to be really really clean, and can't be so fussy about the coop. And TTO isn't going to be my product of choice there!
Mary

 

[Lilalienangel]

Did I mention I have been here for 3 years?? 0 problems since and my family is sick less.. I just do what works for me. These days everything is so corrupted in corporate interests (including science) that's all one can really do.

 

[Lilalienangel]

Oh yeah. Be careful on wood. Don't let it sit or you will take off paint. So it sucks on tables.