Will bleach disinfect cages from Merek's disease?

[DDRanch]

I am borrowing several cages from my girlfriend who lost about a dozen of her babies from Mereks last fall.

If I clean the cages thoroughly with bleach and water, (sun to dry) will they be safe to transport and show several of my 10 mo old hens to a school classroom speaking event? I don't know if any of her sick chicks were ever in these cages.

Can this be done safely? Is there another product I could use other than bleach? I don't want to pass up this opportunity for my girls to do "public service". Thank you.
Anne

 

[DDRanch]

anyone?

 

[arlee453]

From Peter Brown's website:

http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/poultry-health/mareks-disease.html :

Concerning the use of bleach as a disinfectant: go ahead and use it if you so desire but be aware that to my knowledge there are no studies to show the effectiveness of bleach against any disease organism. Oxine has reams of test data against a wide range of Pathogens and is designed to be used specifically for disinfection purposes. Consider this: during the anthrax scare of a few years ago, The Hart Senate Office Building in Washington,D.C. was heavily contaminated with Anthrax. The disinfectant of choice (although it was used in its Gaseous Form) was Oxine. I don’t recall them using bleach as an alternative. Remember that you get what you pay for . My Dad once told me that if you want good clean quality Oats that they come at a price,and that if you want the Oats after they come through the horse they come a bit cheaper. Nuf said.​

 

[horsejody]

Marek's is a virus. Bleach may kill it, but just be aware, that if your birds were not vaccinated as chicks, they have probably been exposed anyway. Disenfecting may just prevent them from being exposed to a different strain.

 

[hinkjc]

Bleach is used in hospital's for HIV and AIDs contaminants. I don't see why it wouldn't work for the Marek's virus as well. I will point out that First State Vet sells Oxine, so their response would be biased because it is profitable for them to mention Oxine over Bleach alternatives. If you read the Oxine label, it is basically bleach. I use both products for disinfectants and never had any issues. As with anything, you need to mix appropriately and make sure to rinse well and air out the container before putting birds in it.

Jody

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

White Vinegar can be used as a cleaning disinfectant but don't give it to your chickens, add raw natural apple cider vinegar to their water bowl if they are not metal bowls, stainless steel is oK..

 

[DDRanch]

thank you. Noted and will do.
Anne