Cleaning Farrowing Room Before Loading

Determine farm protocols to:

Provide clean and disinfected environment for sows and newborn piglets.

There are multiple ways to perform this procedure. The following is a template to assist in customizing a standard operating procedure for this procedure on your farm. Edit as necessary to describe the procedures specific to your farm.

Introduction

After all animals are removed from a farrowing room, it must be cleaned, disinfected and allowed to dry prior to moving the next group of bred females into the room. Hygiene and cleanliness in farrowing rooms help protect the incoming animals from potential pathogens left by the previous animals.

Safety

Hazards: lifting, cut (water under pressure), fall (slip, trip), debris in eyes, chemical (burn), noise (hearing)

Personal protective equipment (PPE) that may be used includes eye protection, a rain suit, rubber gloves, waterproof safety-toe boots, hearing protection and a dust mask.

All electrical outlets should be covered to avoid electric shortages. Powerwashing can create a wet, slippery work environment. Powerwashing may dislodge particles that may blow towards the caretaker’sface and eyes. The water stream from the power washer is under high pressure and is capable of causing severedamage to both the caretaker and animals. Do not aim the water stream directly at an animal or person. Avoid aiming at your feet, and do not put any body part, such as your hands, in front of the water stream.

Supplies

Supplies needed for Cleaning Farrowing Room Before Loadingmay include:

  • Powerwasher unit
  • Hose
  • Wand and nozzle
  • Soap and /or degreaser
  • Disinfectant
  • Maintenance tools

Procedure

Prior to starting the cleaning process, remove all animals from the room that will be washed.

  • Empty feeders.
  • Remove equipment such as heat lamps, mats and feeders.
  • Scrape manure and any foreign matter, such as spilled feed, from stalls.
  • Cover any electrical equipment or controls to keep water out.
  • Put on all personal protective equipment.
  • Attach wand/nozzle to hose and attach hose to pressure washer line.
  • Turn on powerwasher.
  • Use soaps and/or degreasers, as needed,to help break up manure build-up and reduce total wash time.
  • Powerwash room from top to bottom, starting on the end furthest from the room’s entry door.
  • Wash all feed, manure and secretions from the room.

Special areas of focus during the washing process may include:

  • Feeders
  • Corners of equipment
  • Waterers
  • Mats (if present)
  • Flooring
  • Dividers

No manure, dirt or other organic matter should remain after powerwashing.

Apply disinfectant according to label directions.

To complete the process:

  • Turn on ventilation to help thoroughly dry the room.
  • Dump any residual water out of feeders and any other equipment to make sure there is no disinfectant left in the feeders/waterers.
  • Repair or replace any broken or damaged equipment. Contact your supervisor regarding repairs that cannot be completed immediately.
  • Reposition equipment used (heat lamps, feeders, matsor other equipment) to proper locations.

Follow-up

Inspect to ensure the room is clean and dry before loading a new group of gilts/sows into the room.