How do I clean the dirt in a quarantine pen?

[peewee]

I know that this is probably a dumb question but how do you clean the dirt in a quarantine pen? I have a 8' x8' pen that I used as a quarantine pen for my chickens that I want to turn into part of a larger flight for my golden pheasants and possibly some quail. My only issue with this is the fact that this was a place for birds that had at one time bad diarrhea. After deworming and good food the diarrhea cleared right up. I think that it was possibly stress from relocating them. The person I got them from took decent care of them and they were good weight and ate like cows but, when I asked when the last time they were dewormed I got the answer "Your supost to worm them?"

They were in there for over three months until I was sure they were fine to let loose in with my others. Now I need the pen space but I want to make sure anything in the dirt will not effect my pheasants and quail. What if anything can I put on the ground to make sure this area is safe? Do I need to truck in dirt and lay a deep cover over the ground? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Duck Keeper]

I would try just soaking the ground with bleach, but I'm not an expert in biosecurity. o_o;

 

[peewee]

Thanks Duck Keeper!

 

[pixie74943]

I think some people might say DE (I cant write it fully, its impossible to spell, dichotemous (sp?) earth).

Personally, I dug it over, and left it for as long as I could before i needed the space again. It was on the edge of our vegie garden and FULL of worms, which I told myself would help.

 

[Fay at Frizzled Feathers]

use oxine or bleach in the entire pen (even the ground) just spay the entire area, then sprinkle hydrated lime all over the ground. I dont put nothing back in it for a few days atleast.

 

[kathyinmo]

Bleach does not work on dirt. Your best bet is to use sand. Sand is the cleanest. I believe it is recommended to use 10 inch layer of sand.