any recommendations?

lisavw · **Posted:** Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:22 pm

My husband and I have just moved to a five acre property, wanting to grow our own veges. We have bought a second hand chook tractor. Anyone know what would be the best way to clean it? what solutions are safe, if any?
We have not got birds yet, Never done any of this before, so forgive our ignorance.
Thanks, Lisa

b&p · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:26 am

Hi Lisa,

Depending on what your preference for chemicals is you can clean it with vinegar or diluted bleach. Don't forget the wire/mesh. Before you give it a scrub i'd give it a good spray along all the cracks/crevices in the timber in case it has mite hiding in it...a surface spray should be fine (cheaper than lice/mite sprays as well).

Give it a day after liberally spraying and than scrub it down and than a few day sitting in the sun until completely dry before putting any birds in it (unless using vinegar) but it still should be completely dry.

lisavw · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2008 1:40 pm

thank you very much for your advice. :-D

moonshadow_dancer · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:27 pm

Hi Lisa,

b&p has given you some great advice there :-D

And I can't speak for everone here but I for one loves the ignorance side, as it gives us all something to read and answer if we know the answer that is and also good to learn from questions I for 1 forget to ask.

Take Care
Deb

lisavw · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:28 pm

Thanks Deb, You are very kind, ...unfortunately you will see various displays of our total naiivety from here on in!

fuzzfly · **Joined:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:42 pm **Posts:** 253

I use veterinary disinfectant for all 2nd hand hutches and aviaries, it's supposed to even kill avian infuenza!!
but the previous suggestion is probably cheaper.

Jaxsta · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:38 am

G'day Lisa

At work, we use disinfectant to scrub our enclosures especially in the quarantine/vet block area. We also use diluted bleach to clean all the water bowls and use an avian liquid insecticide to control parasites.

I know some places, they try not to use any disinfectants, because they like there birds to have or gain a natural immunity to disease. They just hose things off.

At home I use coopex every fortnight to control parasites and I haven't had any problems with that.

In the end it's up to you how you want to clean your enclosures. You'll find whatever suites your regime and whatever works for you.

Regards Jax.

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