Keeping the barn clean and promoting hygiene is essential for the health of you and your animals. As the years go by and grime accumulates, it can seem more and more difficult to keep the space tidy. However, by following some fundamental cleaning tips, you can maintain a healthy environment.

How to Maintain a Clean & Hygienic Barn

1. Install Hand-Washing Stations

When it comes to keeping livestock, caking your hands in dirt and dust seems inevitable. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your best to remove it whenever possible, though. 

Install a sink in every barn and stock up on soap. Wash your hands after cleaning stalls, working with animals, feeding, and handling medicines. Hand sanitizer can be helpful if sinks are not an option, but wash your hands as soon as work is finished. This will help prevent the spread of bacteria.

2. Keep the Space Organized

Once a few tools are left out of order, it won’t take long for the whole barn to fall into disarray. Make sure everything has its own place, and never leave equipment on the floor. Use storage bins, install shelving, or build sheds to make organization more manageable. Cleaning is much easier in an orderly space.

3. Clean & Disinfect Regularly

The best way to stop the spread of disease is by cleaning. Fly problems tend to scale down with more frequent cleaning as well. Clean the overall space and the animals’ stalls every day to get rid of manure, old feed, and dirt. Once clear, wash the floor with warm water and detergent. Use a disinfectant to eliminate bacteria and viruses.

4. Shower Between Barns

Even if you wash your hands, bacteria and viruses can still transfer from your clothes and direct or indirect contact. The most effective way to reduce your risk of spreading disease is by showering before you enter and exit the structure, so if possible, have a shower stall built in. This is especially important if you have more than one barn. Have a special set of clothes to wear only while working.

5. Quarantine Sick Animals

If one of your animals is sick, place them in a safe and isolated area immediately. Clean and disinfect their stall as soon as they’re removed to prevent it from spreading to the other animals. Call a veterinarian for treatment, and only return the animal to their stall when they make a full recovery.

If you need custom barns built for your livestock, get in touch with VMS & Concrete of Randleman, NC. Serving homeowners throughout the Southeastern United States, this company designs, constructs, and installs a wide variety of metal structures. They can build in many different sizes and colors to suit your needs, whether you need a storage shed for farming equipment or a carport for your boat. For more details about purchasing a metal structure, visit their website. Contact a friendly staff member at (336) 799-4416 to request a free quote today.