Foot disinfection baths are the simplest and most functional step of farm biosecurity. Organisms can survive and for days in dirt deposits on the bottom of shoes and can be dispersed into the environment. Foot disinfection baths allows you to eliminate these organisms.
The operation area has the characteristics of a natural roaming area for many vectors that carry infectious agents, especially birds. They cause the scattering of infectious agents by polluting them with their wastes. For this reason, shoes and boots used in the enterprise should not be entered in the poultry house where production is carried out. Instead, it is extremely critical that work shoes or boots are disinfected in the foot baths and then removed and entered into the poultry house with another shoe or boot.
Selection of correct material
• The foot baths to be selected should have a length and width that can provide the movement of a pair of feet and a minimum depth of 20 cm.
• Plastic should have an easy-to-clean smooth inner surface.
• Depending on the use of the prepared disinfectant solution, it should be in a form and color that can be observed with the naked eye.
• Foot disinfection baths to be used in open areas should be covered in a way that is protected from environmental effects and that they are not transparent, so that the maximum benefit from the disinfectant solution will be obtained.
• In terms of user safety, it should have a design to prevent slips and falls.
Preparation
• The foot baths to be used must be clean.
• If detergent-based products are used during cleaning, it should be rinsed so that no detergent residue is left in the rinse (some detergent active substances are incompatible with disinfectant actives).
• In order to reach a good contact area, the foot baths should be filled with at least 2/3 of water.
• If the foot bath is to be used immediately after disinfectant is placed in the pool, it should be ensured that the solution is fully activated by mixing for 1-2 minutes.
Disinfectant selection and dilution rate is the key
• It is important in the selection of disinfectant whether the place where the foot bath will be used is open or closed. Sunlight can cause disinfectants to inhibit faster, rainfall can dilute the solution, and winds can cause organic pollution to increase rapidly. Organic pollution can be extremely challenging for some disinfectant groups.
• The need for contact time is decisive in reducing the biosecurity risk. If there is no waiting between passes, the selection of disinfectants that can provide effectiveness in a shorter contact time is important.
Biocon-a® shows superior effect in harsh conditions.
• A disinfectant does not only consist of active substances. Content information is not sufficient to understand the character and adequacy of a disinfectant. The disinfectant used must be formulated to be active in waters with high alkalinity and hardness.
• Field conditions can be much harsher than in the laboratory. The conditions under which efficacy tests are conducted should also be considered.
Correct use of foot baths
• Organic pollution can stick to the bottom of shoes, forming a barrier that protects microorganisms and protects them from the attack of disinfectants. Therefore, make sure that shoes and boots are cleaned frequently.
• The sign for the use of the foot baths should be hung on the entrance door so that everyone can see it, and it should be checked that it is used by everyone.
• It should be placed at the entrance of the poultry house, especially right in front of the door, and it should be positioned so that no one can pass through without stepping on it.
• After stepping in the pool with both feet, waiting for a sufficient period of time, should be exited.
• Although it varies according to the workload and frequency of use, pollution control should be done with the naked eye and the solution should be renewed at most every 3 days.
But do not forget
“The most successful biosecurity practices are those that are accepted with genuine conviction by all employees and visitors.”