Scotty T’s Poultry Barn Washing
Owners: Scott and Kimi Tesdahl
Location: Seligman, Mo.
History: “I moved from Minnesota when I was 19 with the intention of doing cabinetry work, but the housing market crashed. I was familiar with confinement hogs from Minnesota and fell into a position washing poultry barns. I worked 16 to 20 hour days and did 31 barns a week. The thought occurred to me that I was doing all the work for someone else and perhaps would be better off doing it for myself. Then some farmers encouraged me by telling me I did really good work. I ran into a sprayer that sat in a field for four years, fixed it up and got it running. Six months later I went on my own and opened Scotty T’s Poultry Barn Washing with my wife, Kimi, usually helping in egg layer houses by washing the nesting pads.”
Products and Services: “I fill my sprayer with the client’s water and use soap only when requested since I spray the pad with commercial and animal friendly disinfectant. Typically barns 400’ long take six hours or less unless they haven’t been cleaned often enough. Chicken sheds are usually cleaned once a year and turkey sheds once every six months. I drive in 100 feet and roll out the hose throughout the barn as I spray and clean everything but the floors which is the litter crew’s responsibility. Weather is not a factor. It could be a sunny day, but every day is a rainy one for me.”
Business Philosophy: “To be successful in this business you have to stay ahead of the litter crews meaning you work on the day you schedule. Further, if the farmer says the job is not perfect, it’s not. My customers are so satisfied they sometimes pay me more than I charge. Good business practice requires being friendly and helping when I can because farmers are good people”
Future Plans: “In 10 years I hope to have a stronger customer base with four or more employees and three more rigs.”
