Explore
Communities in English
Advertise on Engormix

Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2 (Part I)

Published: January 1, 2002
By: Dr. John Summers
Poultry Industry Council Canada
Poultry producers in some areas of the country are adding HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (H202 ) to the drinking water. Apparently the reason is to control microorganisms, especially in flocks that are being grown as "organic" or "drug-free" birds. Since no recommendations could be found on the use of H202 for poultry, this FACTSHEET is offered to help poultry producers make decisions as to if and how they should use this material.
HYDROGEN PERXIDE is a strong oxidizing agent. Thus, it reacts vigorously with many metals, rust, dust, etc. Since its break- down products are water (H20) and oxygen (02), it is considered to be environmentally friendly. As such, it is being used to replace less friendly sanitizing compounds, containing chlorine, or iodine.

A product available on the market is a 35% solution of H202. It is quite stable at this concentration, but much too strong for farm use. Also it could be a fire hazard when used at high concentrations.

H202 is used in the dairy industry as a teat dip, udder and milk- line sanitizer at reported concentrations ranging from 0.006% to 0.5%. It is also reported to be used in bath water and as a fruit wash at 0.05% and 0.225% respectively, and is said to sterilize milk at 0.063%.

In light of these reported use levels, we suggest that as a guide, poultrymen should use H202 at levels no greater than 0.025%. There are reports of poultrymen using H202 at levels as low as 30ppm. to sanitize water lines. Since this is only a 0.003% solution it is questionable whether this level would be beneficial since H202 is very unstable at low concentrations especially in metal water lines. However, unlike milk line sanitizers the birds are drinking this treated water and thus levels significantly below 0.025% H202 should be utilized until some reliable data is obtained.

A solution of 0.025% can be produced by mixing 1 litre of a 3.5% solution of H202 in 140 litres of water. A fresh solution should be mixed daily. Much higher levels, up to 5% H202, have been suggested for nest-box sanitation.

Although it was our intention to provide concrete information on the small CONCENTRATION and efficacy of H202 in the poultry house, such information could not be found. Persons with more specific recommendations are invited to contact the PIC.

These suggestions do not represent recommendations of the Poultry Industry Council.
Related topics
Join to be able to comment.
Once you join Engormix, you will be able to participate in all content and forums.
* Required information
Would you like to discuss another topic? Create a new post to engage with experts in the community.
Create a post
Christopher Hettiarachchi
Maxies
22 de octubre de 2011
D.C.Hettiarachchi - Sri Lanka I quite agree with Dr. Summers to use as high as a concentration of about 250 ppm of hydrogen peroxide in poultry drinking water. If the water to be disinfected is organic free, 30ppm could be enough to kill almost all the microorganism but as drinker lines accumulate more and more biofilms with the time, 30ppm will be too little to effectively kill all the germs. Best Regards D.C.Hettiarachchi
Miroslav Besermenji
13 de octubre de 2011

I would like to discuss with Dr Summers about some points of this work. Looking forward for contact at my email miroslavbesermenji@yahoo.com.

Thank you in advance,

Kind regards,

Dr Miroslav F. Besermenji

Join Engormix and be part of the largest agribusiness social network in the world.
LoginRegister