FARM FOOT PAN USE TO PREVENT CROSS-CONTAMINATION IN AREAS NEAR OR OUTSIDE DOORS, BETWEEN BROILER OR LAYER HOUSES AND AREAS LEADING TO EGG PROCESSING.
AREA OF CONCERN
Foot pan use to prevent cross-contamination in areas near or outside doors, between broiler or layer house and areas leading to egg processing.
ISSUE
Sterilex was contacted by 2 large broiler and 2 layer farms interested in cost-effective and efficacious entryway intervention that could be applied to their foot pans in powder form.
BACKGROUND
Farms were using dry bleach foot pan powder or liquid disinfectant solutions within foot pans at the entryways of layer or broiler farms. Challenges included product odor, product-related respiratory agitation, increased labor and costs due to frequent product replacement (anywhere from twice daily to every 1-2 weeks), inability to determine active ingredient concentrations, and slip hazards associated with current products being used.
RECOMMENDATION
Sterilex proposed the following action:
- Replace the competitive product with Sterilex® Ultra Step in entryways, barns, and hatcheries
- Apply Sterilex Ultra Step at the recommended use rate to foot pans to prevent the spread of resistant pathogens such as Salmonella enteritidis and Avian influenza via foot traffic
- Ensure complete coverage of the bottom of the foot pan and re-apply/replenish product as necessary
- Remove large visible debris or organic matter from foot pan as needed
- After performing preceding steps, monitor concentration of active ingredients using Sterilex Test Strip Kit for Sterilex Ultra Step on a weekly basis
RESULTS
Sterilex Ultra Step was replenished within the foot pans as necessary and active ingredient concentrations remained stable for 6 to 8 weeks. Figures 1-5 illustrate results for four different farms utilizing the recommended protocol. Based on these results, implementation of the above Sterilex recommended program could provide meaningful cost savings.
OTHER PROTOCOL BENEFITS
- Significant cost savings year over year
- Limited container disposal due to reduced replenishment frequency and product availability in 100 and 400 lb drums
- Product-related odor and respiratory agitation concerns reduced
- Decreased labor and product costs associated with frequent product replacement
- Active ingredient stability levels determined
- Removed slip hazards associated with other products used for entryway controls
DUAL ACTIVE CONCENTRATION OVER TIME WITHIN FOOT PANS:

Figure 1: Broiler farm removed 1 oz of powder and organic matter and added 1 oz of fresh Sterilex Ultra Step weekly to a 3-gallon foot pan over the course of 8 weeks. Active ingredient levels remained stable over the course of 8 weeks as monitored by the Sterilex Test Strip Kit.

Figure 2: Broiler farm removed 3 oz of powder and organic matter and added 3 oz of fresh Sterilex Ultra Step weekly to a 16” x 16” foot pan outside of a broiler house over the course of 6 weeks. Active ingredient levels remained stable for approximately 6 weeks as monitored by the Sterilex Test Strip Kit.

Figure 3: Layer farm removed 3 oz of powder and organic matter and added 8-16 oz of fresh Sterilex Ultra Step weekly to a 16” x 16” foot pan in a high foot traffic area during an 8 week period. Active ingredient levels remained stable over the course of 8 weeks as monitored by the Sterilex Test Strip Kit.

Figure 4: Layer farm removed 1 oz of powder and organic matter and added 3 oz of fresh Sterilex Ultra Step weekly to a 24” x 36” foot pan within a layer house entryway over the course of 8 weeks. Active ingredient levels were monitored using Sterilex Test Strip Kit

Figure 5: Layer farm did not remove or add any additional Sterilex Ultra Step to a 24″x 40″ foot pan within a layer house entryway over the course of 8 weeks. Active ingredient levels were monitored using Sterilex Test Strip Kit.*
*Layer Farm 4 demonstrated unusually high levels of Active 1 in the first 2 to 4 weeks of its program. Individual results are subject to variability due to normal sampling error. However, active ingredients did not decrease below specifications for at least 8 weeks.