No Bleach!

Iodine deficiencies in birds
Iodine deficiency is a common disorder among birds, especially budgies and pigeons.  Most seeds lack this essential ingredient.  Iodine is required for the normal activity of the thyroid gland in order to prevent goiters and other ailments. Vanodine products can help by adding to the water daily!  

Salmonella, Newscastles Disease, Avian Flu
Here are a few of the pathogens which Vanodine & FAM have been show to be effective against:
Avian Adenovirus - Egg drop syndrome
Avian flu
Bacillus cereus - Commonly found in soil, causing yolk sac infection.
Escherichia coli - Cause of colisepticaemia in chickens, particularly broilers.
Nocardia asteroides - Found in soil, water and sewage, opportunistic pathogens causing pulmonary or neural disease.
Pasteurella multocida - Cause of fowl cholera in poultry, pasteurellosis may occur in many animal species.
Proteus vulgaris - Widely distributed in the environment, may cause yolk sac infection in poultry.
Salmonella arizonae - Cause of arizonosis in turkeys.
Salmonella enteritidis - Cause of salmonellosis in poultry.
Salmonella gallinarum - Causal agents of enteric disease in fowl.
Salmonella pullorum - Cause of pullorum disease or bacillary white diarrhea in fowl.
Salmonella typhimurium - Cause of salmonellosis in poultry.
Staphylococcus aureus  Occur as pathogens of man and animals causing arthritis in poultry.
And More!

So what about other Disinfectants?
This study regarding disease prevention at the Indoor Psittacine Breeding Facility outlines the differences between many bird disinfectants and their results. Here is a quote regarding these types of disinfectants.

"Chlorhexidines have some limitations which makes their routine use questionable (possible carcinogen). Although less toxic than phenol and aldehyde disinfectants it is not effective against several types of bacteria. Pseudomonas grow well in standing water and chlorhexidine is ineffective against it. "

Quaterinary Compounds - Vanodine works against a broader spectrum of gram-negative bacteria (ie. Tuberculosis) most quaternary compounds. Vanodine kills a broader spectrum of viruses. Vanodine is used in bird drinking water to control spread of pseudomonas and bacteria. Quats are no not cleared for use in drinking water or food. Vanodine and FAM are more effective than quats against fungus and mold. Vanodine makes DOUBLE the dilution of most quat concentrates. Generally quats are not used in heavily soiled areas due to their reduced activity in the presence of organic material (dirt/feces).

Iodophores(Vanodine) Besides all of the reasons above: "..These qualities make the iodophores the disinfectant of choice for cleaning and soaking water bowls, baby syringes and brooders" ~ Indoor Psittacine Breeding Facility

What about Bleach?
Many people do not know that Bleach requires the entire area to be CLEAN before applying the bleach. You can spray bleach on a cage or area all day long but if it is not clean, you're not disinfecting the area. In order for bleach to work it must come in direct contact the pathogen. Bleach becomes inactivated when in contact with dirt or soiled surfaces so requires a pre scrub with detergent. Vanodine & FAM takes care of both in one step.

Vanodine / FAM kill bacteria, viruses and fungi. Bleach creates toxic fumes, and is tough on metal. Most disinfectants (including bleach) require you to thoroughly scrub the area with detergent before application. This is because they do not work as a detergent themselves. Vanodine however can be used instead for each of these applications.

How does it work?
Unlike 'plain' iodine and antiseptic types, Vanodine allows the iodine to disperse slowly and constantly rather than a 'flash' clean immediately upon contact with the top layer. This allows it to remain very effective in the presence of organic material (dirt) without toxic levels of disinfectant. Here is what the Indoor Psittacine Bird Breeding Facility had to say about 'Iodophores' (Vanodine). They conducted several studies regarding aviary disinfection and captive birds. "Iodophores retain the germicidal action, but not the undesirable properties of iodine. Iodophores are effective against a broad range of bacteria and fungi and their spores. They are also a good viricide but only after prolonged exposure. They remain active in the presence of organic matter provided that the pH does not rise above 4 (Russell and Hugo, 1987). These qualities make the iodophores the disinfectant of choice for cleaning and soaking water bowls, baby syringes and brooders." In their summary they also state "For routine germicidal cleaning of incubator, brooder, feeding and watering equipment less irritating products such as iodophores and quats can be used. " You can read the excellent full study regarding aviary disinfection here http://www.hagen.com/hari/docu/disease2.html

Bird Breeders suffer from “dead in shell” and “mushy chick”, where the youngsters fail to break out their shells.  Washing eggs in a V.18 solution destroys the Staphylococci which causes “mushy chick”.  Vanodine has also been proved useful in controlling the spread of Salmonellosis, Paratyphoid, Newcastle disease and respiratory diseases among birds. Vanodine is in concentrated from - so for these uses always remember to properly dilute to the amount recommended on the label.

It can be diluted into convenient hand held spray amounts for disinfection of small areas and pet cages, but is economical enough to make in vast quantities and spray down entire areas. With bleach, items must be thoroughly rinsed and cleansed after use to make sure the bird does not come in contact with any residual disinfectant in their habitat or on their food and water equipment. You do not need to worry with Vanodine. In fact, the manufacturer has tested and recommends V18's big brother FAM 30 for aerial disinfection of commercial poultry houses at 1/500. The gentler Vanodine (V.18) can also be used for hatcheries, smaller operations and pet use.

Cost Effective
Vanodine is in concentrated form. A little goes a long way. Depending on your dilution amount - Vanodine costs between 1 cent and 12 cents! to make 32 oz of useable disinfectant.

Long Shelf Life & Economical Price
V.18 comes in concentrated form. A small 4oz bottle makes 8 - 64 gallons depending on your dilution amount. A typical liquid bleach solution has a shelf life of under a week. Vanodine has a shelf life of up to 3 years! It is also 'color coded' which allows you to visibly see when the solution is no longer effective. An active solution is brown to amber in color depending upon your dilution. Once the Vanodine solution loses its color, it is time to make a new batch.