Preparing Old unused coop

[Dancing Bee]

We have a chicken coop on the property that has not been used for at least 7 years. I'm a bit concerned about contamination related to hantavirus and so on, in terms of human as well as avian safety. Is it safe to use a flea bomb on the coop, 4- 6 weeks before I put chickens in it? Other than vacuuming it out, sanitizing it and making sure there's no access for rodents, is there anything else I should do to get it clean enough for chickens? This is our first try with backyard chickens.

Thanks

 

[canalcolt]

We have a chicken coop on the property that has not been used for at least 7 years. I'm a bit concerned about contamination related to hantavirus and so on, in terms of human as well as avian safety. Is it safe to use a flea bomb on the coop, 4- 6 weeks before I put chickens in it? Other than vacuuming it out, sanitizing it and making sure there's no access for rodents, is there anything else I should do to get it clean enough for chickens? This is our first try with backyard chickens.

Thanks

I would check for mold. I wouldn't use flea bomb stuff.. I'd be afraid the bomb stuff would cling to the boards.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I assume you must be in the southwest. Do you see evidence that the coop was being frequented by rodents?

There is a germicidal called Oxine that a lot of people swear by for disinfection. Once you eliminate access by rodents and clean then disinfect the interior your hantavirus worries should be eliminated. Fleas can carry plague, but with the rodents gone the fleas will also perish as they need to feed on a host to continue the lifecycle. To ease any worries, you can use poultry dust and/or permethrin spray in the coop after it has been disinfected and aired out to dry thoroughly.

For small crevices, steel wool works very well in keeping rodents out as they will not chew through it.

 

[jthornton]

In your profile add your location. Makes a big difference in an answer to someone on the equator and someone living in Alaska.

JT

 

[SunHwaKwon]

^ Not really, and Hantavirus isn't in Alaska. It's predominately a 4-corners +CA issue.

 

[Dancing Bee]

I assume you must be in the southwest. Do you see evidence that the coop was being frequented by rodents?

There is a germicidal called Oxine that a lot of people swear by for disinfection. Once you eliminate access by rodents and clean then disinfect the interior your hantavirus worries should be eliminated. Fleas can carry plague, but with the rodents gone the fleas will also perish as they need to feed on a host to continue the lifecycle. To ease any worries, you can use poultry dust and/or permethrin spray in the coop after it has been disinfected and aired out to dry thoroughly.

For small crevices, steel wool works very well in keeping rodents out as they will not chew through it.

I assume you must be in the southwest. Do you see evidence that the coop was being frequented by rodents?

There is a germicidal called Oxine that a lot of people swear by for disinfection. Once you eliminate access by rodents and clean then disinfect the interior your hantavirus worries should be eliminated. Fleas can carry plague, but with the rodents gone the fleas will also perish as they need to feed on a host to continue the lifecycle. To ease any worries, you can use poultry dust and/or permethrin spray in the coop after it has been disinfected and aired out to dry thoroughly.

For small crevices, steel wool works very well in keeping rodents out as they will not chew through it.

Thanks, Sun. I'm in Nevada, and I know we have Hantavirus in parts of Nevada. I've tried to find Oxine, and haven't so far been successful. Where do you get it?

 

[Dancing Bee]

I would check for mold. I wouldn't use flea bomb stuff.. I'd be afraid the bomb stuff would cling to the boards.

Thanks, Canalcolt! I was concerned about the flea bomb ingredients sticking around, too. No mold so far, and I'm in Northern Nevada, so mold isn't usually a big issue here, too dry by far. But thanks, because I'll double check for it with your reminder.

 

[Dancing Bee]

In your profile add your location. Makes a big difference in an answer to someone on the equator and someone living in Alaska.

JT

Thanks, JT. You have a very good point here! I'm in Northern Nevada- near Reno.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Thanks, Sun. I'm in Nevada, and I know we have Hantavirus in parts of Nevada. I've tried to find Oxine, and haven't so far been successful. Where do you get it?

I have never used it since I do deep litter and wouldn't want to kill off my good bacteria. I just went to the manufacturer website to see if you can do a vendor search (you can't) and I think the one you'll actually want is ProOxine AH. http://www.bio-cide.com/applications/animal-health/prooxine-ah/
I don't know where to find it but you may be able to call and ask them. I think most people just order it online. It can also be added to the chickens' drinking water so don't worry if you think the jug will be too much.

 

[Dancing Bee]

I have never used it since I do deep litter and wouldn't want to kill off my good bacteria. I just went to the manufacturer website to see if you can do a vendor search (you can't) and I think the one you'll actually want is ProOxine AH. http://www.bio-cide.com/applications/animal-health/prooxine-ah/
I don't know where to find it but you may be able to call and ask them. I think most people just order it online. It can also be added to the chickens' drinking water so don't worry if you think the jug will be too much.

Thanks so very much! I appreciate that you researched a product that you don't use, to help me. Thanks