As a farmer, investing in a pole barn kit ensures you have a dedicated space for livestock, farming equipment, tools, and other items. Once erected, proper care of your new barn ensures a long life span and efficient operation. Sanitation is equally important to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Here are some basic steps that will promote consistent cleanliness.

How to Keep a Pole Barn Clean & Sanitary

1. Emphasize Storage

If you don't have enough storage, it will be a challenge to keep your pole barn in good shape. Proper storage can include bins, toolboxes, tubs, hooks, cabinets, and shelving. For frequently used items, use open storage, such as shelves or hooks, to easily retrieve items as you need them. 

2. Stay Organized

After a long day, the last thing you want to do is clean up. However, returning tools, animal feed, and shovels back where they belong stops your pole barn from becoming a cluttered mess. It's a lot easier and faster to put things away throughout the day than it is to clean up a messy, disorganized space. 

3. Clean Daily

Animals droppings and old feed are a hotbed of bacteria, which can make you and your animals sick. Dirt and grime should be shoveled out and discarded on a daily basis. 

Once the area is clean, apply a disinfectant to kill any remaining bacteria. Make sure the disinfectant is safe to use around your livestock, and follow the instructions on the label for maximum safety. 

4. Establish Hand-Washing Stations

If you keep livestock in your barn, you must wash your hands before and after handling animals. Not only does this protect them, but it can also safeguard you from illness. Multiple hand-washing stations are ideal, as they ensure the most efficient clean for everyone on the premises. If you don't have room or fixtures for multiple stations, make sure there's plenty of hand sanitizer to go around. Canisters can be hung up on walls throughout the barn for greater efficiency. 

Where can you find affordable, high-quality pole barn kits in the Dothan area? Dixieland Metals of Alabama offers a wide selection of barns to suit the needs of farms large and small. They also custom design pole barn kits to your exact needs. When it comes to installation, you can do it yourself, or they can make a referral to help you find a quality installer. Call (334) 678-0038 to speak to a team member about your needs or visit the website for more information on their products.