Vircon S

[monotwine]

I looked into the different disinfectants a while back and to be honest the ammonium chloride compound chemicals were the safest as they degrade usually within 24hrs and are fast acting (Kill rate of 30sec to 20min depending on what you are targeting) and don't cause resistance in diseases as they are multi-facetted. They require 1:1000 ratio to be effective as a general disinfectant which is very little comparing it to other used chemical disinfectants.
They work at a wider pH range and get broken down by organic matter, so exposure to soil / seeds helps break down the actives from what I understood (spoke to a chemist that specializes on this compound).

I personally soak my seed in clean water without chemicals, as seeds use this time to pull in the moisture prior to germinating (and in my mind the chemical then too). Once they have swollen, I then soak/dip them for a second time in chemical (I use virukill avian / now more recently F10) for a much shorter period (15min is ample), you are basically only preventing any fungal infection by giving it a surface protection, then I drain and leave to sprout. The active ingredients are inactivated by the time the seeds have chitted.
I cannot for the life of me remember what the actives break down into, but I remember the chemist telling me and I was thinking - no bad - salt and something else. So at this point the active ingredient is useless and you could rinse off, but then you must have goog water or you will be infecting your seeds with ??? whatever is in your water which could then multiply and become harmful once you put the seeds out for feeding.

I don't have my document with me at the moment, but remember some of them had tests done for chemical residue in organs and muscle after 30 days of gross overdosing and no residues were found. Don't know if this helps any.

[monotwine]

PS just wanted to add too if I am not mistaken the MSDS results are from the use of the concentrated product on test subjects, not diluted as recommended.
I remember very clearly that the Vikon stated non-corrosive if used as directed.
Many of them say that too, understandably. Any chemical neat is dangerous.

[Buzzard-1]

I remember reading somewhere that the poultry industry use it in their water, I'll see if I can find it.

[Myzomela]

Yes, there is one trial the parent company undertook comparing growth rates in broiler chickens given Virkon-treated vs plain water, which I posted earlier.
Their conclusion was that birds drinking virkon-treated water had a faster weight gain than non-treated birds- but when you look at the actual figures the difference between the 2 groups of birds was minimal.

Also this trial was only undertaken over a few months ( 2-3 from memory) not long term.

[Buzzard-1]

Virkon® S
Safety, Health & Environmental Issues
User Safety
The results of independent studies carried out in accordance with OECD and EU guidelines indicated that Virkon® S powder concentrate does not display effects of acute toxicity by exposure to skin or by ingestion. As a result Virkon® S is not classified as harmful or toxic according to the standard European process for the classification and labelling of chemical preparations.
When tested in accordance with OECD and EU test guidelines a 1%, in-use dilution, of Virkon® S does not cause irritation to eyes or skin.
Virkon® S, powder and in-use dilution (1%) does not cause effects of sensitisation when tested to OECD and EU guidelines.

Excerpt Taken from Dupont Link below (Remembering I can't find evidence of this on the web but I'll keep looking)
http://www2.dupont.com/DAHS_EMEA/en_GB/ ... ssues.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[monotwine]

THis was all the info I could find on Virkon S (relevant when compared to similar disinfectants)

Virkon-S powder (Virkon-S used in a 1% solution with water)
Potassium peroxomonosulfate (peroxygen compounds, organic acids, surfactant and buffer)

Active against: 65 strains of viruses in over 19 viral families, 400 strains of bacteria and over 100 strains of fungi (animals and poultry strains). (Incl. Avian Influenza (H5N1), Newcastle Disease, Classical Swine Fever (Hog Cholera) and Foot and Mouth Disease.)

Pros: Solution is stable for 7 days at normal temp and storage conditions. Non-irritating at a 1% solution, can be used in hard water, on porous surfaces, at low temperatures in the presence of organic materials (soils etc). No evidence of resistance. Requires 5-10min contact to be effective.

Cons: Powder is corrosive, classified as an irritant, affected by high temperatures (denatures and oxodises). Requires concentration levels (1000ppm) to effectively work in drinking water.

Notes: Powder is corrosive and irritant to skin and eyes – No data is available of its persistence and degradability.

Does it build up in the system and how long is it active for post application? These are two answers I could not find.

[monotwine]

F10SC was the brand that did the 5 week test.
F10 SC
Benzalkonium Chloride
Active against: Bacteria, fungi, viruses and sporicidal
No residual build up detected in chicken muscles/organs, over 5 week period at 1:1000 and 1:250. Minimal chance of microbial resistance. Non-corrosive. Biodegradable. No adverse side effects on people, animals or on equipment and surfaces

I assume though that use of any of these chemicals kills natural gut flora too (as EOrix mentions) and you will have to follow up use with a probiotic, or regularly use one if you put chemicals in the drinking water.

Perhaps question of risk to natural gut flora is one to ask the respective chemical producing companies.

[Buzzard-1]

Perhaps question of risk to natural gut flora is one to ask the respective chemical producing companies.

This is a good point, If it kills the gut flora the benefits of the soaked seed would be diminished,mmmm further investigation required me thinks!!!!

[GregH]

That may be true but that's why you shouldn't use more than ther recommended rate so that the oxidative potential is zero by the time you feed the seed to your birds. By using Virkon you are killing these fungi and probably destroying any existing toxins before they are fed to the birds and since the active ingredient (Potassium peroxymonosulfate) is being placed on a dirty organic substrate (your seed) there should not be any residue by the time you feed it if you use a low dose. If the potassium peroxymonosulfate is unreacted then it is caustic in the undliuted form and basiclly harmless when diluted. Myzomela mentioned that Hyperchorite breaks down to salt but it also evolves chlorine gas which isn't but unless you keep a finch in the bucket where you're sprouting it's not going to be a problem. So what happens to Virkon :

The active ingredient in Virkon® S decomposes by a variety of routes within the environment, in soil and water, breaking down to form the harmless substances, potassium salts and oxygen.

There are many endophytic fungi in grasses that are seed transmissable and which are known to depress reproduction and overall health in stock (read the Primefact pamlet: Endophytes of perennial ryegrass and tall fescue). Don't dismiss modern production techniques as inferior to the "old ways" unless there is good scientific evidence or at least a plausable theory to begin with and test it out first. Aviculture is a relatively small scale enterprise and so our uses are seldom going to get the exhaustive research to get "on label" certification of products, so we have to do it ouselves and be guided by our veterinary advisors but we will never be guranteed of an outcome.