I will be keeping chickens in an outbuilding formerly inhabited by dogs.?

Question

Should I prep the ground with something first to prevent parasites or bacteria from coming in contact with them?

Answer 1

I have several chickens and I would clean the area first as best you can.  The bird flu has not reached the united states, however  your birds should none the less have a clean area at all times. There are many things that can make your chickens sick that have nothing to do with dogs or bird flu. Do Not use strong chemicals like bleach or insecticides that may harm your birds.  Ask your local feed supplier or hatchery for other options.

Answer 2

yes, to prevent the chickens from catching any diseases

Answer 3

Keep in mind that dogs can get mites from birds, and just your average bird feeder can be a source of an occasionally severe problem. It can go the other way but birds will probably have mites anyway. That should be controlled. Regardless of what animals are discussed, when one "housing" is to be reused for another species, it should be sterilized to the best of your ability.

Everything should be either bleached or cleaned with peroxide if you can get bulk higher strength and know how to use it. You might just stick with bleach. After sitting a while, spray it out with anti-bacterial soap to clean up the bleach. If you have a dirt floor you may want to consider taking the top layer out and replacing it. Wood would be best but mulch or gravel are OK and easier to replace or replenish.

Answer 4

Call your local vet, or a feed supply store-- they can probably help you.  Good luck with your chickens.

Answer 5

Chicken coops have to have two doors. If they have four doors, they become chicken sedans.

Answer 6

I believe there are very few parasites or bacteria transmutable from dogs to chickens.  Just  to be on the safe side, you may want to spray the area with an insecticide.

Answer 7

yes so that they could not get  bird flu