For poultry facilities, effective and thorough poultry house turnaround cleaning is vital for animal welfare and the prevention of disease transmission from one flock to another. This is all the more important when considering the recent outbreak of avian influenza. Booking the right industrial cleaning contractor to complete this work makes all the difference when preparing a poultry house for a new flock. 

When is Poultry House Turnaround Cleaning Needed?

Industrial cleaning and disinfection of poultry houses is recommended at least once a year and especially in between flocks. However, this is a significant logistical undertaking and it is important to set aside enough time for a thorough deep clean of the facility. This is separate to any time needed to undertake any infrastructural or electrical repairs. 

We recommend booking an industrial cleaning contractor well in advance so both the producers and contractors have pre-negotiated timescales for the clean. Our team at Kingfisher are well acquainted to scheduling cleans at times most convenient for our clients.

When our team first begin planning a cleaning project with a client, we often hear that we have been called because a previous cleaning company, or even a clients’ in-house team, have attempted the clean already but have done it to a poor standard. This is clearly counter-productive and can result in financial losses or risks to flock health and welfare. We take pride in holding ourselves accountable to only the highest standards and we always ensure that jobs are completed right first time around.

Darren Harker, Operations Director

Why Industrial Cleaning Companies are Best Placed to Conduct Poultry House Turnaround Cleaning

Our team here at Kingfisher have over 40 years of experience in industrial cleaning for the UK food production industry. This experience has allowed us to develop and hone specialist knowledge over vast areas of industrial cleaning. It has also taught us that the most important keys to success are tenacity and a mindset dedicated to seeing a job through to the highest standard, using the best equipment on the market.

Our most recent poultry house turnaround cleaning project involved a series of barns which had been empty since being closed due to COVID-19. In this time a significant amount of dust and residue had accumulated. We carried out a series of deep cleans in a set time-frame prior to new flocks arriving.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Poultry House Turnaround Cleaning Projects

1. Industrial Strength Blow Down of Dust and Dirt 

The first step involves dry cleaning of every surface in the poultry shed, including walls, doors, ceilings, feeder troughs, light fittings, gantries, purlins, waste conveyor belts and pipes. Depending on the size and length of the shed, this potentially requires specialised and industrial strength kit which is powerful enough to complete the job well.

For our projects, the Kingfisher team use industrial strength air compressor equipment to blow down walls, nesting areas, feeding troughs, floors and any other equipment needed. We also use industrial vacuums to remove accumulated dust from purlins and other hard to reach areas. In many cases, sheds are in excess of 120m long. This means that the job needs a standardised and logical approach in order to cover all the areas needed to a high standard.

As with all our projects, we provide all equipment needed to see the job done right. This includes everything from industrial strength compressor equipment to IBC tanks and biohazard PPE.

2. Manual Soak and Clean

After dry cleaning, areas such as the walls and selected machinery will require a manual soak and clean with an appropriate foaming detergent. This stage removes any caked or dried on muck which cannot be removed from the compressed air blowing stage.

A common mistake is to forget about electrical boxes, control rooms or connecting rooms between sheds. Any ventilation systems and fans must also be cleaned, as these can often accumulate significant amounts of dust and feathers which will harbour pathogens. Thorough cleaning of these areas is important to prevent re-contamination.

We have found that the most effective method is manual cleaning by an experienced and tenacious team of operatives who are both knowledgeable and are keen to see the job done right. We are proud that these values are ingrained throughout our ethos as an industrial cleaning company.

3. Disinfection and Fumigation 

After all manual cleaning is complete, the poultry house requires a thorough disinfection and fumigation by a DEFRA approved disinfectant. This ensures that harmful micro-organisms are eradicated prior to a new flock arriving. 

Completing the previous dry and wet cleaning stages incorrectly or to a poor standard will render the disinfection process less effective or, at worse, completely useless. This outcome can cause serious consequences in terms of wasted money or risk to flock health and welfare.

In Need of Poultry House Turnaround Cleaning? Get in Touch Today For Your Free Facility Survey and No-Obligation Quote