How Long Would It Take....?

[Random Rabbit]

We located some used cages not too far from us. Only negative i can see, is that a year ago the person had a rabbit that they culled due to what they believed was snuffles.

How long does that bacteria / virus stay viable ?? If after a year... we got those cages...bleached and burned them off...would they be "clean" ? (as in Not harboring anything icky ??) I had never thought of a time frame before...so thought i would Pose the Question to this group.

Thank You.... :bunnyhop:

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I'm not sure how long it is viable, but I would think thoroughly sanitizing the cages and then leaving them in the sun for a week or so would take care of it. I personally like to use my steam cleaner filled with vinegar to disinfect cages. I also put straight rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and mist cages and nests down with that.

 

[MaggieJ]

I agree with MSD. I wouldn't think that pasteurella could survive that long on wire cages, so if you disinfect well and put in the sunshine you should be safe. I'd be more hesitant about cages with wooden frames, wooden nest boxes etc.

 

[akane]

pasteurellas pretty weak. I think we covered in another thread that just leaving a cage sit for a surprisingly short time wipes it out without even having to do anything else provided there isn't gunk on the wire for it to live in. Sunlight is a very good sterilizer if you rinse the cages and then leave them out in the yard to dry. In fact some things that infect newly hatched chicks are best if not only killed by setting the hatching brooders in the sunlight after bleaching.

 

[jason_l_boyd]

If they are an all metal with no porous surfaces then all you would need is a little soap and water. If you want to sanitize with a bleach solution for peace of mind, that's a cheap, but good insurance. If there is any wood on the cage, steam clean or replacing.the wood would be about the only sure way. But sunlight and time can have a big effect on sanitization.

 

[Random Rabbit]

Thank You all for the replies. These are all wire cages. There is a small ammount of calciom buildup on a couple. We have bleached the heck out of them, and DH ran the torch over all parts...and they are sitting out in the sun. ( watch it decide to rain Now !)

I'm hoping they will work out fine.

 

[3mina]

Bleach, torch, sun and a year later... You should be just fine

 

[MaggieJ]

White vinegar is good for removing calcium build-up. Just be sure to rinse well so the acid doesn't damage the wire.

 

[3mina]

White vinegar is good for removing calcium build-up. Just be sure to rinse well so the acid doesn't damage the wire.

And it's a good disinfectant

 

[MaggieJ]

Yes, it is. I tend to use it instead of bleach for most things.