Avian influenza (bird flu) remains one of the most disruptive threats to global poultry production. While many farmers reach immediately for stronger disinfectants, the science shows a recurring pattern: disinfectants alone cannot address the biological weaknesses in poultry environments that allow viruses to spread.
Here are five common mistakes poultry farmers make — and how Pruex offers practical, biological solutions that disinfectants simply cannot match.
1. Mistake: Drying out and damaging the birds’ natural mucus barrier**
Many disinfectants added to drinking water — including hydrogen peroxide and chlorine-based products — oxidise or dry the mucus that lines a bird’s upper respiratory tract. This mucus barrier is the bird’s *first line of defence* against airborne viruses.
Why disinfectant fails: It weakens that barrier and creates vulnerability.
How Pruex fixes it:
Pruex improves water hygiene using stable Bacillus biofilms that do **not** oxidise or strip mucus. Birds maintain a healthy mucosal layer, meaning they’re better equipped to trap and neutralise incoming pathogens like avian flu.
2. **Mistake: Believing a “clean smell” means a safe environment**
Disinfectants may temporarily stop odour but do nothing to tackle the underlying biological imbalance. Ammonia, biofilm, wet litter, and fermentation continue — all of which weaken birds and increase virus susceptibility.
Why disinfectant fails: It only kills on contact and then stops working.
How Pruex fixes it:
Pruex bacteria form a **protective, positive biofilm**, outcompeting harmful organisms 24/7. Stable bedding biology reduces ammonia, improves litter quality, and prevents the stress that makes birds more vulnerable to bird flu.
3. *Mistake: Over reliance on surface disinfection instead of fixing waterline biofilm**
Avian flu can spread more easily in flocks with compromised immunity. Many farms disinfect surfaces aggressively but ignore waterlines — which often contain oxidised biofilm, dead bacteria, and residues that affect bird health and vaccine uptake.
Why disinfectant fails: It doesn’t penetrate old, layered biofilm effectively.
How Pruex fixes it: Pruex establishes beneficial Bacillus biofilm throughout the water system. This:
- stabilises water quality
- eliminates harmful biofilm
- improves hydration
- reduces stress load
All of which help birds resist disease pressure — including viruses.
4. Mistake: Allowing bedding biology to ferment
Wet, acidic litter increases ammonia and produces volatile compounds that irritate airways. This primes birds for infection — exactly what avian flu exploits.
Why disinfectant fails:
You can’t disinfect your way out of fermentation.
How Pruex fixes it:
Pruex keeps litter biologically stable:
- lower ammonia
- reduced wetness
- improved foot and respiratory health
This reduces stress signals that weaken birds’ immune function.
5. Mistake: Thinking bird flu is only about “biosecurity at the gate”
Most biosecurity protocols focus on disinfecting boots, wheels, and equipment. But viruses exploit weaknesses *inside* the house — poor air, compromised mucus, stress, and disrupted microbiology.
Why disinfectant fails:
No disinfectant can create a resilient environment.
How Pruex fixes it:
Pruex delivers a "One Health" system that builds resilience:
- healthier water
- stable bedding
- improved air quality
- reduced ammonia
- beneficial biofilm dominating harmful microbes
A healthier environment results in stronger, more resistant birds — which is the real defence against avian influenza.
Conclusion
Bird flu thrives where birds are stressed, mucus barriers are compromised, and bedding biology is unstable. Disinfectants cannot fix these problems — they only kill on contact.
Pruex offers a biologically intelligent solution that strengthens the birds, stabilises the environment, and reduces disease vulnerability in ways disinfectants simply cannot.
The science bit:
Protecting the Mucus Barrier: Why Oxidisers in Drinking Water May Increase Viral Risk in Poultry
Respiratory health in poultry starts long before a virus ever reaches a cell. One of the most important — and often overlooked — components of avian immunity is the mucus layer that lines the mouth, throat, crop and upper airways.
This thin, sticky layer traps viruses like Avian Influenza (AI) and Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) before they can attach to receptors in the respiratory tract. If the mucus barrier is damaged, the bird becomes more vulnerable — even if stocking density, vaccination, and ventilation are good.
Yet on many farms, this natural barrier is unintentionally weakened by oxidising disinfectants added to drinking water, especially hydrogen peroxide.
At Pruex, we believe in working with biology, not against it. Understanding the science behind the mucus barrier shows why this matters so much.
1. The mucus barrier is the bird’s first line of defence The avian respiratory system relies heavily on mucus to trap and neutralise pathogens. Studies show: - Mucus forms the primary physical defence against viruses such as Avian Influenza (Alexander, 2007). - Viral particles bind to sialic acids in mucus, preventing them from reaching target cells (Zanin et al., 2016). - A healthy mucociliary escalator carries trapped pathogens away from the lungs.
2. Anything that dries, thins, or oxidises mucus weakens this defence Oxidative stress — whether from ammonia, dust, chemical aerosols, or oxidisers in drinking water — causes thinning of the mucus layer, denaturation of mucin proteins, impaired cilia function, epithelial irritation, and increased permeability of the airway lining.
This is well established: oxidisers such as hydrogen peroxide damage mucins and epithelial cells, reducing the effectiveness of the barrier (Rahman & MacNee, 2000). Classic poultry studies also show that when the mucosa is irritated or damaged, birds become more susceptible to respiratory pathogens (Anderson et al., 1964).
3. So does hydrogen peroxide increase the risk of Avian Flu? There is no published study directly proving that hydrogen peroxide in drinking water increases susceptibility to Avian Influenza. But the scientific mechanism is clear: - Birds rely on mucus to block viral entry. - Oxidisers damage mucus and epithelium. - Damaged mucus = increased viral invasion risk.
4. The Pruex approach: protect the mucus barrier Pruex does not use oxidising chemistry. Instead, we stabilise environmental biology: improving drinking-water quality, reducing ammonia and dust, balancing bedding microbiology, and supporting natural mucosal immunity.
Healthy biology supports a healthy mucus layer — and that supports healthier birds.
References: Alexander, D.J. (2007) ‘An overview of avian influenza’, World’s Poultry Science Journal, 63(2), pp. 161–173. Zanin, M. et al. (2016) ‘The interaction between respiratory pathogens and mucus’, Nature Reviews Microbiology, 14(12), pp. 768–777. Rahman, I. and MacNee, W. (2000) ‘Oxidative stress and regulation of glutathione in lung inflammation’, European Respiratory
Journal, 16(3), pp. 534–554. Anderson, D.P., Beard, C.W. and Hanson, R.P. (1964) ‘Influence of ammonia on the development of air sac lesions in chickens’, Avian Diseases, 8(3), pp. 369–379.
5 Common Mistakes Poultry Farmers Make with Bird Flu — and How Pruex Fixes What Disinfectants Can’t
Avian influenza (bird flu) remains one of the most disruptive threats to global poultry production. While many farmers reach immediately for stronger disinfectants, the science shows a recurring pattern: disinfectants alone cannot address the biological weaknesses in poultry environments that allow viruses to spread.
Here are five common mistakes poultry farmers make — and how Pruex offers practical, biological solutions that disinfectants simply cannot match.
1. Mistake: Drying out and damaging the birds’ natural mucus barrier**
Many disinfectants added to drinking water — including hydrogen peroxide and chlorine-based products — oxidise or dry the mucus that lines a bird’s upper respiratory tract. This mucus barrier is the bird’s *first line of defence* against airborne viruses.
Why disinfectant fails: It weakens that barrier and creates vulnerability.
How Pruex fixes it:
Pruex improves water hygiene using stable Bacillus biofilms that do **not** oxidise or strip mucus. Birds maintain a healthy mucosal layer, meaning they’re better equipped to trap and neutralise incoming pathogens like avian flu.
2. **Mistake: Believing a “clean smell” means a safe environment**
Disinfectants may temporarily stop odour but do nothing to tackle the underlying biological imbalance. Ammonia, biofilm, wet litter, and fermentation continue — all of which weaken birds and increase virus susceptibility.
Why disinfectant fails: It only kills on contact and then stops working.
How Pruex fixes it:
Pruex bacteria form a **protective, positive biofilm**, outcompeting harmful organisms 24/7. Stable bedding biology reduces ammonia, improves litter quality, and prevents the stress that makes birds more vulnerable to bird flu.
3. *Mistake: Over reliance on surface disinfection instead of fixing waterline biofilm**
Avian flu can spread more easily in flocks with compromised immunity. Many farms disinfect surfaces aggressively but ignore waterlines — which often contain oxidised biofilm, dead bacteria, and residues that affect bird health and vaccine uptake.
Why disinfectant fails: It doesn’t penetrate old, layered biofilm effectively.
How Pruex fixes it: Pruex establishes beneficial Bacillus biofilm throughout the water system. This:
- stabilises water quality
- eliminates harmful biofilm
- improves hydration
- reduces stress load
All of which help birds resist disease pressure — including viruses.
4. Mistake: Allowing bedding biology to ferment
Wet, acidic litter increases ammonia and produces volatile compounds that irritate airways. This primes birds for infection — exactly what avian flu exploits.
Why disinfectant fails:
You can’t disinfect your way out of fermentation.
How Pruex fixes it:
Pruex keeps litter biologically stable:
- lower ammonia
- reduced wetness
- improved foot and respiratory health
This reduces stress signals that weaken birds’ immune function.
5. Mistake: Thinking bird flu is only about “biosecurity at the gate”
Most biosecurity protocols focus on disinfecting boots, wheels, and equipment. But viruses exploit weaknesses *inside* the house — poor air, compromised mucus, stress, and disrupted microbiology.
Why disinfectant fails:
No disinfectant can create a resilient environment.
How Pruex fixes it:
Pruex delivers a "One Health" system that builds resilience:
- healthier water
- stable bedding
- improved air quality
- reduced ammonia
- beneficial biofilm dominating harmful microbes
A healthier environment results in stronger, more resistant birds — which is the real defence against avian influenza.
Conclusion
Bird flu thrives where birds are stressed, mucus barriers are compromised, and bedding biology is unstable. Disinfectants cannot fix these problems — they only kill on contact.
Pruex offers a biologically intelligent solution that strengthens the birds, stabilises the environment, and reduces disease vulnerability in ways disinfectants simply cannot.
The science bit:
Protecting the Mucus Barrier: Why Oxidisers in Drinking Water May Increase Viral Risk in Poultry
Respiratory health in poultry starts long before a virus ever reaches a cell. One of the most important — and often overlooked — components of avian immunity is the mucus layer that lines the mouth, throat, crop and upper airways.
This thin, sticky layer traps viruses like Avian Influenza (AI) and Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) before they can attach to receptors in the respiratory tract. If the mucus barrier is damaged, the bird becomes more vulnerable — even if stocking density, vaccination, and ventilation are good.
Yet on many farms, this natural barrier is unintentionally weakened by oxidising disinfectants added to drinking water, especially hydrogen peroxide.
At Pruex, we believe in working with biology, not against it. Understanding the science behind the mucus barrier shows why this matters so much.
1. The mucus barrier is the bird’s first line of defence The avian respiratory system relies heavily on mucus to trap and neutralise pathogens. Studies show: - Mucus forms the primary physical defence against viruses such as Avian Influenza (Alexander, 2007). - Viral particles bind to sialic acids in mucus, preventing them from reaching target cells (Zanin et al., 2016). - A healthy mucociliary escalator carries trapped pathogens away from the lungs.
2. Anything that dries, thins, or oxidises mucus weakens this defence Oxidative stress — whether from ammonia, dust, chemical aerosols, or oxidisers in drinking water — causes thinning of the mucus layer, denaturation of mucin proteins, impaired cilia function, epithelial irritation, and increased permeability of the airway lining.
This is well established: oxidisers such as hydrogen peroxide damage mucins and epithelial cells, reducing the effectiveness of the barrier (Rahman & MacNee, 2000). Classic poultry studies also show that when the mucosa is irritated or damaged, birds become more susceptible to respiratory pathogens (Anderson et al., 1964).
3. So does hydrogen peroxide increase the risk of Avian Flu? There is no published study directly proving that hydrogen peroxide in drinking water increases susceptibility to Avian Influenza. But the scientific mechanism is clear: - Birds rely on mucus to block viral entry. - Oxidisers damage mucus and epithelium. - Damaged mucus = increased viral invasion risk.
4. The Pruex approach: protect the mucus barrier Pruex does not use oxidising chemistry. Instead, we stabilise environmental biology: improving drinking-water quality, reducing ammonia and dust, balancing bedding microbiology, and supporting natural mucosal immunity.
Healthy biology supports a healthy mucus layer — and that supports healthier birds.
References: Alexander, D.J. (2007) ‘An overview of avian influenza’, World’s Poultry Science Journal, 63(2), pp. 161–173. Zanin, M. et al. (2016) ‘The interaction between respiratory pathogens and mucus’, Nature Reviews Microbiology, 14(12), pp. 768–777. Rahman, I. and MacNee, W. (2000) ‘Oxidative stress and regulation of glutathione in lung inflammation’, European Respiratory
Journal, 16(3), pp. 534–554. Anderson, D.P., Beard, C.W. and Hanson, R.P. (1964) ‘Influence of ammonia on the development of air sac lesions in chickens’, Avian Diseases, 8(3), pp. 369–379.