By Hannah Cargill, contract production manager, Avara Foods
If I had a pound for every time my boss says, “Attention to detail!” during our weekly team meetings, I’d probably have enough to buy a fancy coffee… or at least a packet of biscuits to get me through the meeting. But what does he actually mean? Chick start? Ventilation? Temperature? Drinker and feeder management? Yes, all of the above—but where does a broiler crop truly begin?
It all starts with cleanout and disinfection!
Lately, I’ve been dedicating extra time to this crucial step, knowing that a little elbow grease now, pays dividends in the next crop. And in the current climate, where margins are tight and disease challenges are high, a thorough cleanout isn’t just a nicety—it’s a necessity.
Lesson One: A Good Scrub Beats a Fancy Disinfectant
Let’s be clear—no matter how fancy your disinfectant is, if you’re leaving chicken litter behind, you’re not getting the full benefit. I’ve been sticking my nose (sometimes literally, to my regret) into all the nooks and crannies—feeder pans, fan blades, inlets, drinker cups, cracks in floors, ledges, and even inside cross auger pipes. These hidden spots are playgrounds for pathogens, just waiting to make a comeback in the next crop.
Lesson Two: Concentration is Key (And Not Just for Meetings!)
Once the physical clean is sorted, it’s time for disinfection. Many farms choose disinfectants based on the previous flock’s disease challenges—fair enough—but what about dilution rates? It’s surprisingly easy to get this wrong. I’ve seen farms unwittingly watering down their disinfectant by letting the IBC fill up during application, leaving a weaker solution at the end than at the start.
Lesson Three: The Forgotten Danger Zone—Control Rooms!
Most farms do a solid job cleaning the sheds, but nearly every farm I visit overlooks one key area: the control room. Think about it—before stepping into the sheds, you touch door handles, taps, control panels, light switches… all potential contamination hotspots. Salmonella has been found lurking on control panels and light switches, just waiting to hitch a ride into the bird area.
So, do yourself a favour—next time you’re in the supermarket, grab some budget-friendly cleaning products and give that control room a proper scrub. A little effort now can mean fewer headaches (and healthier birds) later. Trust me, it’s worth it!
Attention to detail—it’s not just a catchphrase; it’s the difference between a mediocrity and superiority.