6 METHODS OF POULTRY MANAGEMENT. 



Disinfection. In the matter of disinfection there are several 

 options open to the poultryman. He may make his own 

 disinfectant, or he may purchase proprietary compounds, or he 

 may buy a .plain disinfectant like formaldehyde, or carbolic 

 acid. 



The Maine Agricultural Experiment Station has tried various 

 disinfectants with a v'iew to rinding the most useful, when the 

 factors of efficiency, ease of application and low cost, are con- 

 sidered. There is probably no more effective disinfectant than 

 formaldehyde. The only objection to its use is that a man 

 may find it difficult to withstand the fumes long enough to 

 spray and scrub out thoroughly a pen. Formaldehyde is very 

 good where it can be used, and there is no cheaper disinfectant, 

 efficiency considered. The formaldehyde gas method for disin- 

 fecting poultry houses has recently been advocated, using the 

 permanganate method of generating. This, however, is indi- 

 cated only for rooms which can easily be closed up air tight. 

 It costs too much in time and trouble to make any form of 

 "fresh air" poultry house even moderately air tight. The for- 

 maldehyde gas method is well adapted to disinfecting and 

 fumigating feed rooms, incubator cellars, brooder houses and 

 all houses which can be readily made air tight. For the benefit 

 of those who wish to use the method for such purposes the 

 following directions are given. This will give a very strong 

 fumigation and disinfection, but such is indicated about poul- 

 try establishments. 



Formaldehyde Gas Disinfection: First make the room as 

 tight as possible by stopping cracks, key-holes, etc., with pieces 

 of cloth or similar substance. Use a metal or earthern dish for 

 a generator, of sufficient size so that the liquid will not spatter 

 or boil over on the floor, since the permanganate will stain. 

 The temperature of the room should not be below 50 F. and 

 more effective disinfection will be obtained if the temperature 

 is 80 F. or above at the beginning. Sprinkle boiling water 

 on the floor or place a kettle of boiling water in the room to 

 create a moist atmosphere. Spread the permanganate evenly 

 over the bottom of the dish and quickly pour in the formalde- 

 hyde (40 per cent strength as purchased). Leave and tightly 

 close the room at once and allow to remain closed for 4-6 

 hours or longer, then air thoroughly." Use 23 ounces of per- 



