How do Isterilize a used coop?

[Suburban-nite]

Hi,

My SIL gave me her old coop. How do I sterilize quickly sterilize a coop for biosecurity? Her four chickens lived in it up until yesterday.

The coop is still on my hubby’s truck outside. I am too chicken to bring it in. Our chickens free range in our enclosed backyard.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Hose it down first, preferably with something like hydrogen peroxide detergent. Then spray it with permethrin spray and let sit for a week. Spray again and let it sit another week. Then it should be ready for use.

Do inspect crevices for red roost mites. If you find those (look like small red or black fish eggs in the crevices and corners or red-black streaks), burn the coop. RRM are very hard to get rid of. Fortunately they aren't that common in many areas.

I've re-used an old coop and had no problems. But I did let it sit for 6 months (unintentionally...hubby took that long to move it). I did disinfect with hydrogen peroxide (or bleach) then spray with permethrin.

Good luck.
LofMc

 

[Suburban-nite]

I have a pressure washer. I was going to spray it down with plain water first.

I was going to add bleach to the soap bottle attached to the pressure washer. Online it says use vinegar. That seems way too mild.

Peroxide detergent like oxiclean?

 

[CluckerFamily]

Vinegar may work, it takes nicotine off wood.
I would use the permethrin, that is a great idea!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Since you're getting this from your sister you should have an idea of what you're working with

Parasites - permethrin
Bacteria - bleach
Mareks virus - fire

Are your sisters chickens healthy? Are they vaccinated for mareks? Are yours?

 

[Suburban-nite]

My hens are from Alchemist Farms and are not vaccinated. Her hens were from TSC. She sold her hens, because she couldn’t deal with the flies and poop. Her doc thinks her chickens may be giving her respiratory issues - not Covid - she was tested negative. Thus the sudden disposal of everything related to her chickens.

She heard I was going to buy a new coop for my new tiny birds, and decided to give me all her feeders and her coop.

I didn’t nt have the heart to say no, because of her medical condition. Now the coop is in my driveway still on the truck bed.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I have a pressure washer. I was going to spray it down with plain water first.

I was going to add bleach to the soap bottle attached to the pressure washer. Online it says use vinegar. That seems way too mild.

Peroxide detergent like oxiclean?

Yes, like oxiclean. Make it a strong solution (about 30%) in the bottle or put in the dry detergent if you have that kind of mixer available on your power washer. Bleach works fine too. Vinegar is too mild, better for mold. Permethrin will rid scaly leg mites, northern fowl mites, and any leftover lice. Those typically don't live in the premise.

Marek's is a thought of concern but generally lives in the dander of the birds and is everywhere. Vaccination is not a certainty for Mareks being passed. The vaccine is like the flu vaccine, it only works for some strains some of the time. Likely if you are close in the same area as your sister, Marek's is already on your property from air transmission and wild birds.

I would definitely burn any coop that I suspected of Red Roost Mite. THOSE little monsters are nearly impossible to kill, can live months without a host, and even strong industrial insecticides don't necessarily rid them AND they live in the actual crevices of the building/coop itself. A close inspection at night at crevices with a flashlight should give indication. That would be the greatest risk. Marek's a small possibility especially if you power wash with bleach/peroxide and let sit for at least 2 weeks as the dander would be gone.

My thoughts.
LofMc

 

[RainbowHen]

Bleach water would be my go to. Permethrin treatment doesn't hurt either. Pressure washer will be a great tool. Sunlight is also an effective disinfectant. Best of luck!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

My hens are from Alchemist Farms and are not vaccinated. Her hens were from TSC. She sold her hens, because she couldn’t deal with the flies and poop. Her doc thinks her chickens may be giving her respiratory issues - not Covid - she was tested negative. Thus the sudden disposal of everything related to her chickens.

She heard I was going to buy a new coop for my new tiny birds, and decided to give me all her feeders and her coop.

I didn’t nt have the heart to say no, because of her medical condition. Now the coop is in my driveway still on the truck bed.

Okay it sounds like she didn't have a flock for that long, and many feed stores buy from hatcheries that automatically vaccinate with Marek's...but again I wouldn't worry too much if you sister's birds were fine. Marek's is a fact of life in any flock but not the death sentence it once was.

Most parasite build up occurs AFTER the 2nd year. If this were a coop that had been used for 10 to 15 years, then I'd think twice. If it has only been used a couple of years, your risk is pretty low as long as you follow the instructions I have given.

LofMc

 

[Suburban-nite]

Yes, like oxiclean. Make it a strong solution (about 30%) in the bottle or put in the dry detergent if you have that kind of mixer available on your power washer. Bleach works fine too. Vinegar is too mild, better for mold. Permethrin will rid scaly leg mites, northern fowl mites, and any leftover lice. Those typically don't live in the premise.

Marek's is a thought of concern but generally lives in the dander of the birds and is everywhere. Vaccination is not a certainty for Mareks being passed. The vaccine is like the flu vaccine, it only works for some strains some of the time. Likely if you are close in the same area as your sister, Marek's is already on your property from air transmission and wild birds.

I would definitely burn any coop that I suspected of Red Roost Mite. THOSE little monsters are nearly impossible to kill, can live months without a host, and even strong industrial insecticides don't necessarily rid them AND they live in the actual crevices of the building/coop itself. A close inspection at night at crevices with a flashlight should give indication. That would be the greatest risk. Marek's a small possibility especially if you power wash with bleach/peroxide and let sit for at least 2 weeks as the dander would be gone.

My thoughts.
LofMc

Thankfully, I haven’t run into a mite yet. My SIL is a clean freak. She would have warned me. I will check with a flashlight.