Correct Methods and Precautions for Lime Disinfection in Pig Farms
Disinfection of pig farms is one of the most important tasks in pig farming, as it is related to the health of the pig herd. Quicklime is the most commonly used disinfectant. Quicklime is a natural disinfectant, cheap, extremely easy to purchase, and easy to use, so it is often used as a disinfectant. However, if used improperly, it will not only fail to achieve the purpose of disinfection and sterilization, but also waste manpower and resources, and in severe cases, it can even cause burns and other symptoms in the pig herd. So how should lime be used for disinfection? What precautions should be taken? Let's find out together.
1. Misconceptions about lime disinfection
Many people, when using lime for disinfection, simply clean the pig house and then sprinkle some lime powder in every corner. In fact, this is wrong. Not only does it fail to achieve the purpose of disinfection and sterilization, but it can also cause pigs to accidentally ingest lime powder, resulting in burns to the mouth and digestive tract. Or when the pigs are active, the lime powder gets stirred up, causing the pigs to inhale it, which can easily trigger respiratory diseases. Some people also mix lime powder with water and spray it in the pig house. This is also incorrect. The solution must be allowed to cool before use, but the solution will react with carbon dioxide in the air, reducing the content of calcium hydroxide and resulting in a low disinfection and sterilization effect. In addition, lime should not be stored for too long, otherwise it will react with carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate and lose its original disinfection and sterilization efficacy.
2. Correct methods
Quicklime itself does not have disinfecting properties. Only when it is mixed with water to form slaked lime does it have strong alkalinity and a relatively high disinfection and sterilization effect. Therefore, directly spreading lime powder during disinfection has no disinfecting effect at all. The correct method is to spray an appropriate amount of water on the floor of the pig house, then sprinkle lime powder on it so that it reacts to form calcium hydroxide and achieves disinfection and sterilization. It can also be mixed with water to make a 20% lime milk, which can be applied to walls or floors. This leaves no dead corners and also has a renovating effect. Once prepared, it must be used within a short time to avoid losing its effectiveness.
3. Precautions
When using it, pay attention to whether the lime contains impurities, otherwise explosion and combustion may occur during the process of adding water; quicklime must undergo a chemical reaction with water to have a disinfecting and sterilizing effect, and using it directly has no disinfecting effect at all; lime milk must be prepared and used immediately, as it may lose its disinfecting and sterilizing effect over time; before disinfection, the disinfection site must first be thoroughly cleaned.
The above is an introduction to lime disinfection methods and precautions for pig farms. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.