Under unpredictable weather conditions with frequent floods, restoring and sanitizing livestock barns after inundation is essential to maintain biosecurity and ensure the health of farm animals.
After flooding, the farming environment becomes a high-risk area for disease outbreaks. Floodwater, waste, manure, and carcasses can severely contaminate barns, creating favorable conditions for pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites to multiply, threatening both animal and human health. Therefore, proper cleaning and disinfection of barns are crucial to prevent post-flood infectious diseases in livestock.
Image of animals in floods
1. IMMEDIATE ACTIONS TO TAKE
Electrical safety inspection:
Disconnect all power sources and have a qualified technician inspect the electrical system before reuse to prevent electrical accidents.
Check structural integrity of barns:
Floodwaters may weaken foundations, walls, and columns, increasing the risk of barn collapse. Carefully assess structural safety before allowing animals to return.
Wear personal protective equipment:
After flooding, pathogens are present everywhere. When cleaning barns, wear rubber boots, gloves, masks, and protective clothing to avoid contact with contaminated water, infectious agents, or sharp objects.
2. ASSESSING THE OVERALL HEALTH STATUS OF LIVESTOCK
Quickly move surviving animals to a dry, safe area.
Provide clean drinking water and, in cases of hypothermia, apply measures to restore body temperature. Monitor for signs of stress, dehydration, or disease.
Image of animals in floods
3. ENSURING BARN CLEANLINESS AND HYGIENE
Once animals are relocated, remove all waste, manure, leftover feed, and carcasses from the area.
Dead animals must be buried according to biosecurity standards, covered with lime powder to disinfect and eliminate pathogens. Dig drainage trenches to accelerate drying and prevent prolonged dampness.
Next, wash the barn with clean water or soapy solution / 10% lime water, then let it dry for at least 24 hours.
Once dry, disinfect the entire barn area, including floors, walls, and surroundings, using disinfectants such as BELUCID or IONDIN@.
Finally, sprinkle lime powder around the barn to create a natural antibacterial barrier.
Cleaning and disinfecting equipment:
All farm tools should be thoroughly cleaned and soaked in disinfectant. If feed or water tanks were submerged, replace the contents, clean and disinfect the containers and pipelines, and discard any spoiled or moldy feed.
Image of animals after floods
4. POST-FLOOD DISEASE PREVENTION FOR LIVESTOCK
Supplement Vitamin C, electrolytes, and probiotics to boost animal immunity. Products such as VITA C 20% or COOLVIT help strengthen resistance, while HASPRO probiotics balance gut microflora and reduce enteric diseases.
Disinfection frequency:
Spray disinfectant twice per week during the first two weeks after the flood. IONDIN@ is recommended for regular barn disinfection.
Electrical and equipment safety after drying:
Once the barn is completely dry, check all electrical systems with an insulation tester before restoring power.
Inspect and thoroughly dry heaters, fans, and light bulbs before use.
Install a circuit breaker system to ensure electrical safety across the barn
Only return livestock to the barn once all disinfection steps are complete, the floor is dry and odor-free, and proper ventilation is ensured.
After flooding, barns provide ideal conditions for bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites to thrive. Therefore, proper sanitation and disinfection are essential to safeguard both animal welfare and farm biosecurity.