What should you use to disinfect a brooder??

[Iovemypeeps]

we are suppsoed to be getting a few new baby chicks tomorrow, but we already have some chicks in a swimming pool brooder. The new chicks will be going in the swimming pool along with the chicks we have now so I want to disinfect the brooder first before they come, so they don't get infected from the chicks we have now (even though they will be with them anyway, so I guess they still could get infected, but I just want it to be clean for them) what is the best thing to use to disinfect it? Bleach? Is that safe to use for baby chicks?

 

[Iovemypeeps]

By the way, I need to put my chicks that I have now back into the swimming pool brooder for the night, so if I use bleach, I don't know if that would be safe for them to go right back in it as I have read somewhere that it should sit for a little bit to let the chemicals gas off...??? Do I even need to disinfect my brooder before the new chicks come tomorrow if they are going to be with these chicks anyway? (Well for the first few days they are going to be in a cardboard box inside the swimming pool brooder just until they get stronger so the older ones don't bully them and then after a few days they will go in the swimming pool with the others...)

 

[WhiteWyan]

It's a swimming pool, so I bet it would be easy to just hose it down, let it dry?
Bleach should be fine as long as it is rinsed off fully. I know I use bleach to sanitize my feeders/waterers.

 

[feather13]

I've never used bleach and am not sure I would because it's so harsh for humans to breathe, much less sensitive animals like chickens. Maybe try Oxine if you can find it. Vinegar and water are good if you don't think there are viruses or other diseases in your brooder. I've read that others have used vodka in a spray bottle. I've used diluted OdoBan.

 

[Iovemypeeps]

Ok thanks! One of my chicks has been acting sick lately so I want to do more than just hose it off, to get rid of any viruses or diseases... even if I mix the bleach with water it won't be good for them? I don't think I have oxine or odo ban in the house.. so vinegar won't kill viruses?

 

[Iovemypeeps]

I read somewhere that one tsp of bleach per quart of water is used to sanitize food handling equipment so perhaps that concentration would be safe for chicks? I don't want it to be poisonous for them to breathe it in though

 

[WhiteWyan]

10% bleach is best, for sanitizing, but once it is diluted it is only good for 24 hrs... Or you can buy Clorox wipes, even easier.

 

[Iovemypeeps]

Well I would be using it right now, so the 24 hours doesn't matter. Would Lysol wipes work?

 

[feather13]

I poked around BYC forums and articles and it seems like many people use diluted bleach. If you need to disinfect now with whatever you have around the house, you should go for the diluted bleach solution and just make sure you use it with plenty of ventilation. Good luck

 

[Iovemypeeps]

Thank you! I ended up using lisol wipes because we had those in the house and I sprayed the pool out very well. I couldn't smell anything when I put my nose to it so hopeffuly it's fine! I ended up leaving my chicks in a big cardboard box overnight so the kiddie pool can air out overnight and then hopeffuly all the chemicals will be gone by the time the new chicks come!