Hydrogen Peroxide - a natural alternative to purify water, water systems, and equipment used for bird breeding

by Margie Frayne - Herbs for Birds

We have noticed an increasing number of queries from breeders asking if there is anything which is natural, not chemical, which can be used to sanitize drinking water for the birds. These breeders wish to reduce the use of chemicals in their bird husbandry because they are concerned that the continued use of chemicals might be causing a reduction in the breeding capacity of some pairs or a dip in the general health of some birds in their aviaries. They are analysing everything they are doing with a view to reducing the chemical load in their cages. Sanitizing water is one of the areas.

Water is a medium in which micro-organisms & pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, moulds, algae, and parasites) can flourish. Bird breeders are well aware that they need to sanitize the drinking water. Treatments can range from boiling the water, to using Bleach / 'Jik', which is similar to pool chlorine, or " Virukill ® avian " or similar types of water sanitizers, to the installation of very expensive in-line water purification systems - using ultra-violet light, sand or charcoal filters.

Household bleach ('Jik') is a chemical solution containing sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide; the sodium hydroxide is used to slow the decomposition of sodium hypochlorite into sodium chloride and sodium chlorate which chlorinates water. The chlorine oxidizes the contaminants in water and produces chloroform and other trihalomethanes which are carcinogenic (cancer forming). Sodium hypochlorite is also a strong oxidizer and is corrosive, can burn the skin and damage the eyes, especially if concentrated. What concentration is too much for a bird? Would you agree that sanitizing water this way is a swift route to undermining the health of your birds?

"Virukill ®" is a very popular broad spectrum chemical disinfectant that contains the active ingredient poly dimethyl ammonium chloride. Its active chemical ingredients are derived from ethane (a petroleum gas) and hydrochloric acid and ammonia. Its action is to coagulate and flocculate inorganic and organic particles such as silt, clay, algae, bacteria and viruses from the water. It has been in use for 40 years, and is considered to be an excellent disinfectant which is used to sanitise domestic drinking water, the water in animal rearing establishments, plus their housing areas and equipment. Yet, the directions for its use state in 3 different places on the same pamphlet - harmful if swallowed; toxic if inhaled; risk of serious damage to eyes - protect the eyes with chemical splash goggles; if undiluted will irritate the skin - prevent contact with skin; toxic to fish; prevent contamination of food, feed, drinking water & utensils; dispose of water containing "Virukill ®"where it will not contaminate crops, grazing, rivers, dams (= environmentally harmful); wash the empty container 3 times; do not discard the container in your household rubbish bin; destroy the cleaned container by puncturing before disposal ; only dispose at an approved landfill site which accepts containers that have held hazardous toxins. And after all the above, the distributor states in a detailed disclaimer that it accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any damage to "crops, vegetation, the environment, or harm to man or animal " that the product might cause. Read carefully through all those statements again and ask yourself, are there perhaps long term consequences from using this stuff in the water for my birds?

So, if you wish to exclude these chemical sanitizers, what do you do? There is a natural product that can be used to sanitize the water for your birds, as well as cleaning your bird feeders and water lines. It has been in use for sterilisation, in many different applications, for at least 100 years. And as with most natural substances, it is multifaceted and in this case, does much more than you need it to.

It is the simple compound called Hydrogen Peroxide, which is just water with an extra oxygen molecule - H2O2 - what could be more natural?

Peroxide is found in all living material. White blood cells naturally produce hydrogen peroxide to fight bacteria and infections. It is found in high dosages in a mother's initial breast milk, called colostrum, and is transferred to the newborn baby to boost its immune system. It is found in rain water. Some of the water (H?0) in the atmosphere receives an additional oxygen atom from ozone (O?). This makes plants grow faster. Fruits & vegetables naturally produce hydrogen peroxide. This is why it is good for our health (and your birds) to eat these foods in the freshest state possible. Peroxide is capable of killing bacteria, viruses, fungus, mildew, mould, and effective against diseases such as Legionella, E.coli, Influenza A and B, Pseudomonas, Campylobacter, Salmonella, MRSA, VRE Spores, Norovirus, Listeria monocytogenes, and more. Peroxide readily releases its second oxygen molecule, which destroys the pathogens. It has long been recognised that pathogens are unable to build up a resistance against the two basic compounds in peroxide - hydrogen and oxygen. It is safe and non-toxic for people, animals & plants. The additional oxygen molecule taken in with the water is beneficial for health.

Where does one buy Hydrogen Peroxide and how does one use it?

  • Peroxide is cheap and is available from any local Chemist / Dischem. The bottle has a warning that it should not be taken internally, which you can ignore. It is not toxic. Peroxide has no taste, no smell, and leaves no residue after use. (See further on in notes how peroxide has been used in animal care.)
  • Ask for 'Food Grade Peroxide' which is a 35% concentrate, and then dilute accordingly.
  • Use 20 drops peroxide in a litre of water for drinking water for your birds.
  • Use 20 drops peroxide in a litre of water and soak your water dispensers in this solution for 20 minutes. Increase the dilution if necessary. Once you have rid the dispensers of mould or algae, it should not return.
  • Use peroxide as a non-toxic fruit and vegetable sanitizer when you are preparing these for your birds. Pour 35% peroxide into a dark coloured spray bottle. (light destroys peroxide). Fill another spray bottle with apple cider vinegar. Spray your fruits and vegetables with the peroxide, allow to stand for 5 minutes, then spray with the vinegar. Then rinse off with clean water.
  • Or, otherwise, to neutralize chemicals, dirt and micro-organisms on fresh fruit and vegetables and to prolong their freshness, add ¼ cup of peroxide to a sink full of cold water. Soak vegetables for 20-30 minutes. Rinse, drain and let dry.
  • To kill mites, spray the infested area with 30ml of 35% peroxide in 500ml water.
  • Sprouting seeds - soak seeds overnight in a mixture of 30ml peroxide and 2 cups water. The additional oxygen in peroxide helps to sprout seeds - this is useful for the bird breeder who feeds sprouts to his birds. Spritz the sprouting seeds with this diluted solution every time you re-moisten.
  • Clean your equipment, sponges, wash cloths, buckets, even your plastic nesting boxes with peroxide. Soak them for 10 minutes in a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and warm water in a shallow dish.
  • Plants - to improve their root system, water them with a mixture of 32 parts water and 1 part 35% peroxide. In addition:
  • Hydrogen peroxide can be dabbed onto sores or scratches on the skin to reduce infection and promote healing.
  • Hydrogen peroxide is earth-friendly - environmentally safe. It is not a harmful chemical. It biodegrades easily into a non-pollutant. Always remember that whatever cleaners and sanitizers you use end up going back to earth via your drain, into the sewage system and then into rivers and the oceans, and into the environment eventually. We need to be much more conscious of this fact when using chemical cleaners.
  • Peroxide can be used for cleaning so many different things that it can reduce the number of different and strong chemical cleaning products you would need to keep around the house. Use a diluted solution of peroxide to wipe out the refrigerator & freezer, your bird room shelves and food cupboards or anywhere you work with or store food for your birds (and family). Wipe the kitchen sink, bathroom basins & toilet with peroxide to achieve maximum sanitation.
    Warning : Peroxide will bleach fabrics, wood, some plastic surfaces, and will rust any metals other than stainless steel, so first use with caution until you are certain you will not cause damage.

    It is an accepted standard practice to use food grade hydrogen peroxide in 'Organic' production for the sterilisation of food equipment, sanitation of pack house surfaces, in cheese production, and in milk production. In chemical free farming hydrogen peroxide is used in the drinking water for cows, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, rabbits, and birds. It is interesting to read about successes using hydrogen peroxide. Many of these conditions are similar to what a bird breeder encounters in his flights. In every case, the incidence of diseases is reduced because the peroxide eradicates the micro-organisms, pathogens or germs.

    In general the farmers reported : Cleaner well pumps/water pipes/water dispensers; reduced respiratory and digestive system problems; lowered medication costs and vet bills; a way to de-chlorinate chlorinated water supplies; a natural de-worming effect; improved breeding.
    Pig farmers report : Lower incidences of Ileitis, Hemorrhagic bowel syndrome, PRRS, Circo Virus, Streptococcal infections & E. Coli.
    Dairy producers report : Increased milk yields; lower somatic cell counts; increased butterfat levels; increased levels of colostrum after calving; reduced incidences of mastitis; elimination of foot rot; improved conception rates. (breeding)
    Feedlot Cattle producers reported : improved hoof condition; more content cattle; fewer waterborne diseases.
    Poultry Producers reported : fewer incidences of disease; fewer leg and tendon problems; drier litter; better egg quality for layers; better feed efficiency.

    Notice : 'Herbs for Birds' herbal products are stocked by:
    'The Parrot Inn' in Old Johannesburg Road, Centurion - 083-449-1601
    'Kollonade Pet Shop' at the Kollonade Mall, Montana - 012-548-7551
    'Feeds & Feeders' in Pretoria North - 012-542-3204
    'Essential Herbal Products', Durban - 083-409-8309

    This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It is intended to be educational and thought provoking. Neither Meridian Herbs, or any of its officers, director, employees, or representatives will be liable for any direct or indirect, consequential or incidental damages arising from any information contained herein. The limitation of liability is comprehensive and applies to damage of any kind.