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Hydrogen Peroxide

Uses: Antiseptic | Disinfectant | Feed Supplement

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) is a weak acid with strong oxidizing properties. Nearly all living organisms have enzymes that decompose low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen. Most of the world’s production of hydrogen peroxide is used to bleach pulp and paper. However, as a more environmentally friendly alternative to chlorine-based bleaches, it is gaining popularity in other sectors, such as in laundry detergents, disinfectants and antiseptics. In agriculture, it is mostly used to disinfect barns, feeders and waterers.

Hydrogen peroxide is most commonly available as a solution in water. For consumers, it is usually available at 3 and 6 wt % concentrations. The concentrations are sometimes described as the volume of oxygen generated (0.20 tsp or 1 mL of a 20 volume solution generates 4 tsp or 20 mL of oxygen) when completely decomposed. A 35% solution is the most common in commercial or agricultural uses.

Farmers have reported that their bacteria count has gone down to 2,000/mL after using hydrogen peroxide.

Benefits as a Disinfectant

Farmers tend to forget the value of clean drinking water in terms of their animals’ health.

  • Cleans watering systems.
  • Helps break down manure in pits.
  • Sanitizes milk pipelines in dairy barns.
  • Reduces odours from slurry tanks.

Directions for Use as a Disinfectant (35% H2O2)

For a 20-gallon or 75 L sink in a dairy pipeline:

  • Soap cycle: add 6 oz or 180 mL of hydrogen peroxide.
  • Rinse/Acid cycle: add 4 oz or 120 mL of 12% white vinegar.
  • Sanitize cycle: 2 oz or 60 mL of hydrogen peroxide.
  • Cut above volumes in half if you are introducing hydrogen peroxide to your watering system at 30 ppm.

For washing and disinfecting:

  • Mix enough hydrogen peroxide with water until you get a light foam when sprayed on walls and floors.
  • Leave until foam disappears and apply again.
  • Repeat until foamy (contaminated) areas do not appear.

For washing udders:

  • Use 1 oz or 30 mL of 35% hydrogen peroxide per gallon/4 L of warm water.

For preserving colostrum milk:

  • Use ¼ oz or 7 mL of 35% hydrogen peroxide per gallon/4L of colostrum milk, depending on time of year, temperature and pH of milk.

A federal meat inspector inspected hogs that a farmer had brought in for slaughter and compared their large lungs to those of another group grown in confinement. The latter had pneumonia that had been treated with antibiotics. The inspector told the farmer his hogs were getting the correct amount of oxygen necessary to make good, lean meat.

Benefits as a Feed Supplement

  • Increases the oxygen level to the blood and cells as long as iron and mineral levels are at appropriate levels.

Cattle and Dairy:

  • Reduces mastitis.
  • Increases milk production and butterfat content.
  • Treats scours.
  • Reduces parasites.

Hogs:

  • Improves feed-to-gain ratio.
  • Reduces parasites.
  • Produces leaner meat.

Horses:

  • Controls the growth of s. aureus, e. coli, c. botulinum and other undesirable organisms in the intestine.

Poultry:

  • Improves feed-to-gain ratio and egg production.

Directions for Use as a Feed Supplement (35% H2O2)

Cattle and Dairy:

  • For Newborn Calves: 10 – 15 drops of hydrogen peroxide per bottle of milk.
  • For Ailing Cows: 16 oz of 35%/5 gallons or 400mL /20 litres of water.
  • For High – fever Cows or those with mastitis: drench every 12 hours for 2 – 3 days or as long as is needed with solution of 1 – 2 oz of 35% per 32 oz of water or 30 – 60 mL/L of water.
  • Hogs with scours: Use 100 ppm for 2 – 3 days, then reduce to 20 – 30 ppm.

Concentrations:

  • 100 ppm: 1 ml of 35% HP per 4 L of water.
  • 20 ppm: 1 ml of 35% HP per 20 L of water.
  • Horses: 10 – 15 drops of 35% H2O2/day.

For drinking water:

  • 8 oz/1,000 gallons or 236 mL/3,785 L of water.
  • Or 1 tsp or 5 mL of 35% hydrogen peroxide in drinking cups at the stanchion for all farm animals.
  • Always make up a 3% H2O2 solution by diluting one part food grade 35% hydrogen peroxide with 11 parts of distilled water.
  • Use a calibrated applicator (Stenner pump) to add hydrogen peroxide to watering systems at various concentrations.

Packaging

  • Liquid, 35%
  • 1 gallon or 4 L
  • 5.2 gallons or 20 L
  • 15.85 gallons or 60 L
  • Test strips: package of 50 strips.

Safety

  • Strong oxidizer. Contact with other material may cause fire because hydrogen peroxide increases the flammability of other materials it touches.
  • In case of accidental spills, do not flush undiluted hydrogen peroxide into the sewer as it may increase the flammability of other materials it contacts.
  • Harmful if swallowed or inhaled or comes into contact with skin. Do not induce vomiting if swallowed. Drink large quantities of water. Move outside or to a well ventilated area if you breathe it in.
  • Store in a cool, well-ventilated dark area separated from combustible substances, reducing agents, strong bases, organics.
  • Do not store on wooden shelves or floors.
  • Rotate stock.
  • Rinse empty containers thoroughly with clean water. Containers may still be dangerous when empty since they retain residues (vapours, liquid).