Help! Cleaning coop w illness having been present

[lizzbitt]

Hi. I have what may seem like a silly question.. I've been raising chickens for a few years now and am having my first bout of illess. I've posted a thread asking for help but wanted to ask about cleaning... Long story short - they're symptoms have looked like marek's (from what I can tell - leg/wings paralysis, blindness, tumors on eyes, some die after seeming pefectly healthy the day before. I've lost WAY too many chickens!!
I want to have coop as clean as possible. I have 2 large coops/runs as my girls cannot free range due to neighbors dog... so they are confined and if we do have mareks I understand it stays alive in the litter (my clothing, boots, etc) I've been takimg extra precautions by washing up.before and after enteeing each yad but what can I do within the yard? I've been told nt to remove pine chip bedding but to "rake thru and flip it" before adding new chips. But I def don't want to stir up any potential marek's dander that could be lurking (it's also rained for about a week here and we are very muddy. (Have had slightly damp ground inside coop despite putting fresh litter ) )
- Can someone give me the 101 on coop cleaning w sick or potentially sick birds involved (all look fine but I've lost 4 this week alone )
Please help (I've never dealt with any kind of illness before. This is all very new and scary)

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

My go-to is the power washer for inside the coop.
In the run, I would go ahead and shovel out the old. Keeping it wet might prevent anything from being stirred up, but it also makes it heavy.... The fact that it rained may be enough. A tractor is good for this, but not everyone has access. Scrape it down until you can't find shavings anymore. You could put the stuff into a lined trash can to dispose.
Maybe spray it with something after that.

I don't know. Depending on the size of your coop, this may be a bigger task than I think.

Can you move their runs to the other side of the house? You would have to cut a pop-hole, but they would have fresh grass.

 

[lizzbitt]

My go-to is the power washer for inside the coop.
In the run, I would go ahead and shovel out the old. Keeping it wet might prevent anything from being stirred up, but it also makes it heavy.... The fact that it rained may be enough. A tractor is good for this, but not everyone has access. Scrape it down until you can't find shavings anymore. You could put the stuff into a lined trash can to dispose.
Maybe spray it with something after that.

I don't know. Depending on the size of your coop, this may be a bigger task than I think.

Can you move their runs to the other side of the house? You would have to cut a pop-hole, but they would have fresh grass.

I cannot move as both coops/run are quite large due to fact that I couldn't free range...
When you say "rain may be enough", what do you mean? May be enough to keep possibly infected dust/dander from floating around? Or....? (Sorry. I've never dealt with illness and am in a bit of a panic). It's been raining a lot. I thought putting fresh chips/litter would he'll but it just gets wet and soggy. No losses today but one girl has one eye closed. She's lively tho... unlike others. I'm hoping isolated event but too many list in a short time.
I've thought I should shovel all out... would be HUGE Jon and no tractor on hand ..... but I love my girls and want to do what I can to save the rest of my flock.
Thank you for your help. Hoping you can clarify a bit... thanks in advance.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Yes, that's what I mean. Maybe when it stops raining you could spray the yards with something like Corid.
Rain can also be bad for chickens, make sure they are staying dry.

 

[lizzbitt]

Thank you so much!!!
Feels good to get some answers. I've been banging my head against the wall over this and locally, not much help

 

[gjfurtsch]

I read online that Neem oil sprayed around and in the coop works on mites maybe mites are carrying a disease. I have stopped using sulfur and seven powder completely and use the neem oil on everything including the nesting boxes.
I hope this helps

 

[MossyOaks]

So very sorry that your going through this.. I found some info for you, and I will post a link to this as well. Bleach? Bleach is not known to be effective against Herpesvirus (Marek's) on porous surfaces.

What kills Marek's virus?

You want a cleaner that has a known virucidal that kills Herpesvirus. Use as directed on the label as a virucide, and always use proper personal protection! These can be harmful if misused.

Odoban http://www.odobanprofessional.com/products/odoban/odoban.php

Activated Oxine http://www.bio-cide.com/uploads/Efficacy Oxine.pdf - Note, it MUST be activated to kill Marek's!

Virkon S http://www.biosecuritycenter.org/content/labelClaim/virkonS.pdf - Specifically mentions that it can kill Marek's, and on porous surfaces. Probably the best choice.

Here is the link to the full article that I found on this site..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[MossyOaks]

View attachment 1088692 I read online that Neem oil sprayed around and in the coop works on mites maybe mites are carrying a disease. I have stopped using sulfur and seven powder completely and use the neem oil on everything including the nesting boxes.
I hope this helps

Love your coop. Did you build this from your own design? It's awesome

 

[aart]

they're symptoms have looked like marek's

Have you had a necrospy done to be sure Mareks is what you are dealing with? Chances are your remaining birds are carrying the virus, even tho they may not be showing symptoms. It's pretty common along with Leukosis, will kill the weaker birds and leave the more hardy as carriers.

Maybe when it stops raining you could spray the yards with something like Corid.

Spraying the yard with Corid wouldn't even kill the coccidois causing parasite that Corid is used to treat.

 

[lizzbitt]

Have you had a necrospy done to be sure Mareks is what you are dealing with? Chances are your remaining birds are carrying the virus, even tho they may not be showing symptoms. It's pretty common along with Leukosis, will kill the weaker birds and leave the more hardy as carriers.

Spraying the yard with Corid wouldn't even kill the coccidois causing parasite that Corid is used to treat.

I have not had one done. The state lab is a bit of a drive. The situation is feeling quite dire. I've read that , about the birds being carriers. I am worried if indeed it's marek's, they've like all been exposed. And I've read even those vaccinated can still get sick if exposed. I'm looking for any answers that can put an end to this. Is there an end to this?