I'm a new organic crop farmer with a dozen laying hens. We live in Northern Ontario. The snow is finally gone...and these past few days I've been able to let the girls out. They were so happy to fly around and make a mess of my flower garden. Anyways, my delimma is; I really need to clean the Barn...it's very dusty! Yuk! Never cleaned a barn before...What products should I use? and any suggestions on how?
If your barn is really dusty, first and foremost...a dust mask! Poultry dust is very hard on your lungs and can even cause a nasty pneumonia in some cases. Other than that, a hay fork and good shovel! Happy cleaning...I like to call it "harvesting" for the compost pile...makes the job seem more worthwhile! Di
Thats how I do it..the only product required is elbow grease I guess. I spread pine shavings in the hen house..a deep layer..when done and it smells and looks so nice..the girls love it..and I throw straw down in the fenced chicken yard. I have had to knock down spider webs and all in the summer..dusty business...I agree about the dust mask and keep the doors and any windows open for sure!!
Thanks for the feedback...I guess I was thinking, maybe I had to disinfect with a little bleach after removing all the dust and cobwebs. I was hoping the fire department could come and hose it down...wishfull thinking. I wonder.. would a shop vac work...to suck-up the dust...
A shop vac might work Frannie. I've been known to use my leaf blower! Just don't do what I did once and blow it all down on your head. Sometimes my brain really does engage...honest! Di
I have used a shop vac to clean out the pens.I works great but you just have to be careful because the dust clogs up the filter so make sure you clean it out often. I wear a dust mask also. Alicia
Cleaning Chicken Barn
Posted - Apr 18 2007 : 12:11:39 PM
I wonder.. would a shop vac work...to suck-up the dust...
Just don't do what I did once and blow it all down on your head. 
Sometimes my brain really does engage...honest!