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Procedure - Caregiver Sanitary & Cleanliness

Section: Human Resource Procedures 
Procedure Owner: Ignition633 Ministries Nigeria Human Resources 
Procedure: Caregiver Sanitary & Cleanliness
Origination Date: August 2024

Purpose
to maintain a clean and hygienic environment that protects both animals and caregivers from disease and infection. These practices help to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites, ensuring the health and well-being of the animals. Sanitary measures also contribute to creating a safe and pleasant environment, reducing stress for the animals and promoting their overall welfare.

Scope
includes regular cleaning and disinfection of animal enclosures, feeding areas, and equipment. It involves the proper disposal of waste, maintaining personal hygiene among caregivers (such as handwashing and wearing clean clothing), and using appropriate cleaning agents and methods to eliminate pathogens. The scope also extends to the education and training of caregivers on the importance of hygiene, the correct use of sanitizing products, and adherence to protocols that prevent cross-contamination between animals or different areas of the facility.

Definition
Sanitary: conditions or practices that promote health and prevent the spread of disease, particularly through cleanliness and hygiene.
Cleanliness: state of being free from dirt, dust, impurities, and contaminants.

Entering the Chicken Coop

- All employees must take the appropriate precaution before entering the chicken coop.
- Take a bath and change into the coop coveralls and protective boots.
- Dip feet all the way into the foot bath for disinfection before entering the Chicken coop.
- Constant body, fumigation, and hand sanitizing. Hand sanitizing must be done each time you leave one pen to enter another. Please sanitize your hands with the recommended hand sanitizer the ministry provides before entering the chicken coop.
- For new chicks, 1-2 weeks old, footwear must be changed to chicken section footwear before entering the 'chickens section' in the coop.
- No other person is allowed to go into the chicken coop. Only the chicken coop employees can enter the coop to ensure proper sanitation.
- If you have visitors in the chicken coop, please ensure they go through the sanitary procedures under the supervision of a chicken coop staff before being granted access to the chicken coop. These procedures include;

    • Putting on a nose mask
    • Dipping feet in a foot bath
    • Sanitizing hands.
    • Visitors should not touch anything in the chicken coop.

Cleaning of the coop and its utensils

- Each of the coop pens must be cleaned and fumigated each week before the transfer of the birds.
- Each work utensil must be washed and stored immediately after use.
- Hallways and cobwebs must be cleaned, fumigated, and removed twice weekly.

Deep Cleaning

You should provide fresh food and fresh water every day and clean the bedding occasionally (the deeper the bedding layer, the less often you have to clean it out). Deep cleans must be performed at least twice a year. For a proper deep clean, follow the following steps:

Step 1: Clear out every removable item of the coop. This includes feeders, drinkers, and nesting box trays. After removing all the bedding, scrape the chicken feces, cobwebs, dust, dirt, and other materials in the coop. Using a pair of gloves and a face mask will help you from getting any dust or dirt into your body, especially if you have allergies.

Step 2: Grab your hose and spray the enclosure down. You will want to remove all dust and debris from scraping and shoveling. If residue remains left over after you spray, you may want to repeat step one. You can also use boiling water in the cleaning process to remove any mites in the coop.

Step 3: Disinfect the nesting boxes and the coop. Use a natural cleaning agent like vinegar or bio-oxide to disinfect the chicken nesting boxes and coop. Please do not use bleach. It can be very toxic to the chickens. Instead, mix equal parts of vinegar or bio-oxide and water to create a cleaning solution, and mop up your coop for an all-natural cleaning. Use this cleaning solution on your chicken feeders and drinkers, then put them under the sun to dry completely.

Step 4: Let the coop and nest boxes air dry. This will help with the vinegar smell, and the sunlight will help with the disinfection process.

Step 5: Move everything back in. Put some fresh bedding on the coop floor and return the dried feeders and drinkers. The last and most important part is to remember to wash your hands.

Daily Task

- Ensure that all dead birds are taken out of the coop.
- Please clean the water tanks before giving your birds clean chlorinated water.
- Ensure the birds are fed.
- Chicken feeders must be cleaned daily before the new feed is put in (for a new chick of 1-2 weeks old)
- Clean and remove caked, wet, and unclean bedding.
- Monitor the birds after the water is given to them and ensure they are not gathering to prevent them from dying of cold and pressure.
- Check and report any strange behavior of the chicks and chickens.
- Provide the chicks with constant light for the first week and reduce it by 1hr, 30mins weekly. This will allow the birds to get enough sleep and reduce their daily stress.
- Please look at the chicken coop to ensure no signs of insect or parasite infestation.
- Hallways must always be cleaned and fumigated to prevent bacteria.

Weekly Task

- Beddings are to be cleaned and fumigated each week before the arrival of new chicks.
- Temperature is to drop each week by 2ºC.
- The following temperature levels must be maintained for chickens:
- One week old - 32ºC
- Two weeks old - 30ºC
- Three weeks old - 28ºC

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