Bird Washing Machine


Birds are obvious victims of marine pollution by hydrocarbons. The arrival of the birds soiled on the beaches is largely covered by the medias following oil spills. To date, the only known effective method to try to save these oily birds consists of an individual washing. In 1995, with ELF company developed a bird washing machine joinly with wild life rescue organization to try to mitigate the disadvantages of manual washing. Today, two machines are available at FOST.


The objective : a short washing

A bird whose feathers are soiled presents a high risk of hypothermia related to the loss of its waterproof propreties. The hydrocarbon ingestion is also very harmful. It is thus necessary to limit the duration of the exposure of the bird to hydrocarbons. In addition, any handling of the birds by the human causes stress for the animals. A successful cleaning must thus be not only effective but also short.

A manual washing requires 35 to 45 minutes to treat only one bird, the process of automated washing present at the FOST makes it possible to wash more birds in less time. The complete wash cycle including rinsing lasts only twenty minutes.

Operation and instructions

The bird washing machine is made up of three modules:
- a module of automatic washing,
- an hot water production module,
- a module of two tents. One of the tents is used as shelter for the boiler; the care with the birds (preparation, washing and rinsing) proceeds in the other.

Various protocols of washing exist the one selected for the birds washing machine of FOST, consists of a meticulous manual cleaning of the head of the animal associated with a rapid preliminary manual wash, of the body of the birds. The bird is then placed in a metal basket especially designed for the machine. The head of the bird remains outside; inside, its wings are maintained open and legs immobilized one.

The basket is placed in the automatic unit of washing. A spraying system applies soap and water to the bird, wich is rinsed with clean water. During all the cycle, water is maintained at 39°C, temperature close to the body temperature of the bird.

The drying of the birds is carried out in an independent room and calms which includes a swimming pool. The birds are released as soon as their condition allows.


Equipment ready to be deployed

Today, two birds washing machine are stored at FOST. They are conditioned to be ready to leave by road or air transport.

Two technicians of the FOST and an ornithologist of the CHENE are present at the time of the installation of the machines. The interventions are generally done in partnership with wild life rescue operations veterinary surgeons.