Regular poultry shed turnaround wash-downs are one of the most biosecurity-critical tasks on a farm. However, it’s also one of the messiest and most gruelling. Your team will need to cope with everything from high-pressure water, corrosive detergents and chemicals, fine organic dust, and risk of pathogens such as salmonella and avian influenza.
This means that having the right biosecurity cleaning PPE is absolutely critical. Standard outdoor gear or even heavy-duty farm workwear won’t suffice. This is a job that needs specialist kit.
Read on for a guide to buying the right waterproof wash-down gear for poultry sheds, including features to prioritise.
What should you wear for a poultry shed wash-down?
Poultry shed wash-downs need full waterproof coverage. This means a bib-and-brace plus jacket – both made from chemical-resistant, heavy-duty PVC, since clean-outs involve both high-pressure water and disinfectant.
You’ll be doing a full, thorough clean-out between every flock cycle, which can be as often as 6–7 weeks for broilers. This isn’t standard hygiene cleaning either, as you’ll have biosecurity compliance requirements to meet. This means using heavy-duty disinfectants and other chemicals.
The combination of chemicals and high-pressure water – along with the frequency you’ll need to conduct wash-downs – means that ordinary farm gear is likely to deteriorate. It could happen within weeks.
So, you’ll need specialist heavy duty workwear, made from high GSM PVC with a high waterproof rating along with oil and chemical resistance. It’s also crucial to remember PPE for hand, face and foot protection.
In short, you need to give your workers as much protection as possible – as safety as well as comfort is on the line.
What does a poultry shed wash-down actually involve?
A typical wash-down usually involves:
- Dry cleaning and muck-out
- Detergent application and soaking
- Systematic high-pressure washing of all surfaces and equipment
- Chemical disinfection and fumigation for pest control
- Drying
So it’s not just one set of chemicals your gear will be exposed to, but several – as well as prolonged wet conditions. Remember, ceilings need deep-cleaning too, and this means exposure to water and chemicals from above. Full coverage is absolutely essential.
What to look for in wash-down gear
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Full waterproof coverage | Prolonged water exposure – choose bib/brace + jacket vs. just a jacket |
| Chemical-resistant material | PVC is recommended for protection from disinfectant and other harsh chemicals |
| Easy to hose down/disinfect | Gear itself needs cleaning between uses |
| Built for repeated movement | Comfort across long, physical shifts |
Recommended waterproof gear for poultry farms
In the first stages of the clean-out – emptying the space and the dry muck-out – a heavy-duty PVC apron or bib is the best choice. It offers protection, but also provides freedom of movement for this very physical work.
As soon as you start working with water and chemicals though, you need to layer up. Opt for full waterproof bib-and-brace overalls plus jacket, plus gloves, boots and face/head PPE for full-body protection.
Read more: A guide to buying pressure washing clothing
Why biosecurity matters when it comes to workwear
Poultry shed clean-outs aren’t just for hygiene purposes. They’re essential for minimising biosecurity risks and eradicating pathogens, as well as for meeting legal and compliance requirements.
You and your crew need dedicated, farm-specific gear for protection during the clean-out. It should also be easy to clean, to avoid cross-contamination between sites and support disinfection protocols.
Shop specialist farm cleaning workwear from Stormline
Stormline specialises in heavy-duty agricultural workwear, including midweight and heavyweight PVC waterproof jackets, overalls and trousers.
Top choices for poultry shed clean-outs include:
- Stormtex 669HG Midweight PVC Rain Gear Bib and Brace Pants
- Stormtex 248B Midweight PVC Waterproof Workwear Jacket
- Stormtex 248G Midweight PVC Commercial Rain Gear Jacket
Shop the range here – or get in touch for buying advice or info on bulk purchases.
FAQs
How often do poultry sheds need to be washed down?
Poultry sheds should be thoroughly deep cleaned between each flock or production cycle, so schedules vary between farms.
What material is best for poultry farm wash-down gear?
Heavy-duty PVC is one of the best choices for biosecurity cleaning PPE, as it’s fully waterproof, oil and chemical resistant.
Can regular rain gear be used for poultry biosecurity cleaning?
No, regular rain gear may withstand some water exposure, but it will become saturated over time. The biggest problem is chemical exposure, which can deteriorate gear if not made from specialist materials.