Dr. Kalyani Sarode
Senior Product ManagerOptima Life Sciences Private Limited
Maintaining optimal hygiene is critical to ensuring the health, productivity, and biosecurity of poultry operations. The poultry environment is highly susceptible to contamination from pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which can proliferate in equipment, structures, and facilities if proper disinfection measures are not taken. Foam-based disinfection has emerged as a scientifically superior method due to its efficacy in ensuring uniform application, extended contact time, and superior microbial control. Foam is particularly advantageous in poultry settings, as it can cling to both vertical and irregular surfaces, ensuring thorough coverage in complex environments. The stable foam prevents rapid evaporation, providing sufficient time for the active ingredients to work against resilient pathogens.

Scientific Benefits Disinfection
1. Prolonged Contact Time and Surface Interaction
Foam increases the surface retention time of disinfectants, allowing them to exert their full antimicrobial activity. Studies have shown that prolonged contact with disinfectants results in better eradication Of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, viruses, and fungal spores.
2. Effective Biofilm Removal
Biofilms present significant challenges in poultry environments. These protective matrices shield microorganisms from chemical disinfectants, reducing their efficacy. Foam penetrates the biofilm structure, disrupting the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix and exposing the pathogens to the active disinfectant.
3. Uniform Surface Coverage
Foam provides an even and visible layer across surfaces, ensuring that all areas, including cracks and crevices, are treated. is especially important in environments such as layer cages, where structural complexity can hinder thorough disinfection.
Applications of Foam-Based Disinfection in Poultry Facilities
1, Hatcheries
Hatcheries are critical points in poultry production where eggs, ‘young birds are most vulnerable to infection. Foam-based disinfection effectively sanitizes hatching trays, incubators, and walls, ensuring the elimination of common pathogens such as Salmonella spp. , Escherichia coli, and Aspergillus spp.
2. Empty Sheds
Terminal disinfection of empty sheds is vital for breaking the pathogen cycle. Foam ensures effective cleaning of floors, walls, and ceilings, targeting bacterial spores, viruses, and fungal contaminants that persist after previous production cycles.
3. Environment-Controlled (EC) Sheds
EC sheds are designed for large-scale poultry production with controlled environmental conditions. Foam-based disinfection enhances biosecurity by thoroughly sanitizing ventilation systems, drinker lines, and feeders, thus reducing the risk of respiratory infections and waterborne diseases.
4. Layer Cages
Layer cages, due to their intricate design, can harbor significant pathogen loads. Foam-based disinfection allows the disinfectant to reach complex surfaces, ensuring complete microbial control, thereby improving egg safety, and minimizing disease transmission.
Insights on Foam Droplet Size in Disinfection
Foam droplet Size plays a crucial role in determining the efficiency, coverage, and effectiveness of foam-based disinfectants in poultry hygiene. The physical properties of foam—such as droplet Size, density, and stability—directly impact its ability to cover surfaces uniformly and ensure optimal contact with pathogens.
1. Better Surface Coverage: Finer foam droplets increase the surface area of coverage, enabling the disinfectant to reach intricate and hard-to-access areas like cracks, crevices, and uneven surfaces. This is especially critical in environments like layer cages or ventilation ducts in EC Sheds.
2. Uniform Layer Formation: Finer droplets form a consistent foam layer that adheres to vertical and horizontal surfaces, reducing the likelihood of untreated patches.
3. 0ptimal Contact Time: A foam with fine droplets clings longer to surfaces, preventing premature drying or runoff This extended contact time enhances the efficacy of the active disinfectant, especially against resilient pathogens like bacteria in biofilms.
4. BiofiIm Disruption: Smaller droplets can penetrate biofilms more effectively than larger ones, breaking through the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and exposing pathogens to the disinfectant,
Equipment Considerations for Fine Foam
Nozzle Design: Nozzles with a finer aperture produce smaller droplets, resulting in better foam consistency and coverage.
Pressure Settings: Higher pressure typically generates finer foam but must be optimized to avoid destabilizing the foam structure.
Foaming Agent Quality: The formulation of the foaming agent also determines the stability and droplet size of the foam.
Recommendations for Effective Foam Application
- Ensure the disinfectant formulation is compatible with foam application machine for stability and efficacy,
- Calibrate equipment to ensure uniform droplet size and even distribution across the intended area.
- By optimizing foam droplet size, poultry operations can achieve wider area coverage, improved disinfection efficiency, and enhanced biosecurity measures, ultimately contributing to healthier birds and safer production environments.
Conclusion Foam-based disinfection represents a paradigm shift in poultry hygiene. By offering prolonged contact time, uniform surface coverage, and superior efficacy against biofilms, foam ensures robust microbial control across diverse poultry operations. For facilities aiming to improve biosecurity and productivity, integrating foam- based disinfection into their hygiene protocols is a scientifically sound decision.