It has been reccomended to me, by the UC Davis lab, here in town, to use a bleach water solution to sanitize the coop. I have done it for years. All water is squeegied out , and the coop is then left to dry out completely. Cleaning the coop is always a three step process.
Dry clean: wearing a dust mask, remove all bedding material. Dispose of it in trash bags.
Wet clean: using regular dish soap, wash out the coop and any nest boxes, perches, etc.
Sanitize: wear protective goggles, use a new tank sprayer, apply a water and bleach solution (three fourths (3/4) cups of chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of water) to the coop interior, let sit for 20 minutes, rinse and let dry.
Now, you can replace the bedding material and return the birds.
This year because of the Infectious Bronchitis (a virus), I am adding a fourth step, steam.
I have purchased a steamer and will steam all the crevices. I have used this steamer in my home, and let me tell you, it gets very hot. So great care must be exercised that no animals are around. I will wear rubber gloves and a long sleeved shirt too.
With all the rain you had, there is even a possibility that mold could have caused illness. So, while your at it, look for mold in the coop. Bleach and a good dry out will kill it. If water is getting in, fix the leak and water proof.
Organisms like mycoplasmas, can live for days to weeks, but it depends on the type of surfaces. It also passes in the eggs of infected birds, to their hatchlings. So, as a precaution, I would never breed that surviving hen. But, you can eat her eggs.
Since you didn't have any of the deceased birds necropsied, and you don't know what caused the deaths, you should clean and disinfect thoroughly. Here is a link to Cornell Universities website article on disinfecting.
smallfarms.cornell.edu/2014/04/07/cleaning-and-disinfecting-your-poultry-house/
Organisms like mycoplasmas, can live for days to weeks, but it depends on the type of surfaces. It also passes in the eggs of infected birds, to their hatchlings. So, as a precaution, I would never breed that surviving hen. But, you can eat her eggs.
Don't stress out, these organisms are a part of the natural world. Being a chicken keeper really opens your eyes. Remember, it is happening to the chickens not you. But, learn and be proactive in resolving these things. It will make you a better chicken keeper.
I hope I have answered your questions. I am not an expert, just a keeper that has had some experiences.
God Bless
Dry clean: wearing a dust mask, remove all bedding material. Dispose of it in trash bags.
Wet clean: using regular dish soap, wash out the coop and any nest boxes, perches, etc.
Sanitize: wear protective goggles, use a new tank sprayer, apply a water and bleach solution (three fourths (3/4) cups of chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of water) to the coop interior, let sit for 20 minutes, rinse and let dry.
Now, you can replace the bedding material and return the birds.
This year because of the Infectious Bronchitis (a virus), I am adding a fourth step, steam.
I have purchased a steamer and will steam all the crevices. I have used this steamer in my home, and let me tell you, it gets very hot. So great care must be exercised that no animals are around. I will wear rubber gloves and a long sleeved shirt too.
With all the rain you had, there is even a possibility that mold could have caused illness. So, while your at it, look for mold in the coop. Bleach and a good dry out will kill it. If water is getting in, fix the leak and water proof.
Organisms like mycoplasmas, can live for days to weeks, but it depends on the type of surfaces. It also passes in the eggs of infected birds, to their hatchlings. So, as a precaution, I would never breed that surviving hen. But, you can eat her eggs.
Since you didn't have any of the deceased birds necropsied, and you don't know what caused the deaths, you should clean and disinfect thoroughly. Here is a link to Cornell Universities website article on disinfecting.
smallfarms.cornell.edu/2014/04/07/cleaning-and-disinfecting-your-poultry-house/
Organisms like mycoplasmas, can live for days to weeks, but it depends on the type of surfaces. It also passes in the eggs of infected birds, to their hatchlings. So, as a precaution, I would never breed that surviving hen. But, you can eat her eggs.
Don't stress out, these organisms are a part of the natural world. Being a chicken keeper really opens your eyes. Remember, it is happening to the chickens not you. But, learn and be proactive in resolving these things. It will make you a better chicken keeper.
I hope I have answered your questions. I am not an expert, just a keeper that has had some experiences.
God Bless
