How to Clean Hog Houses

Keeping a pen clean is important in hog farming to reduce noxious odors and the spread of disease. According to the Organic Consumers Association, "... there is a link between swine and the spread of influenza (flu), which kills about 20,000 people in the U.S. annually." Standing hog feces and urine must be removed regularly and the pens completely disinfected.

Things You'll Need

  • Squeegee
  • Push broom
  • Bleach-containing detergent
  • Water/Feeder disinfectant
  • Rubber gloves
  • Eye protectors
  • Rubber overalls
  • Hose
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Instructions

  1. Muck the Pen

    • 1

      Move the animals to a temporary enclosure. Remove the surface straw and manure that is on the floor of the hog enclosures. A wide-mouthed shovel and wheelbarrow will work well.

    • 2

      Scrub the floors and walls of the hog enclosure completely with a bleach-containing detergent such as Domestos. To avoid skin irritation, wear rubber gloves and overalls. Use a standard push broom to scrub the flooring.

    • 3

      Saturate the floor and walls with a cleaning disinfectant such as Virkon S. This removes the fungus and bacteria left over from the animals' standing urine and feces. This step is most important in preventing animal-to-animal disease.

    • 4

      Rinse completely and scrub out the feeders and waterers in the hog enclosure. Scrub every nook and cranny with the cleaning disinfectant. If the feeder and waterer is attached to the wall, unscrew it and thoroughly clean behind these areas as well.

    • 5

      Squeegee away the disinfectant on the floors after about 20 minutes and thoroughly hose out the enclosure. Once it dries, replace the straw bedding and return the animals.