brooders in the house

[MNmommy]

I just had my 18 chicks for the last 4.5 weeks in my house. I started getting a cough and moved them out in the garage. I have been cleaning all the dust in the house but now I have this dry cough and sore throat. I am really hoping it is just a cold but I notice after I go in the garage and hanging out with the chicks I start coughing more. I really hope I don't have an allergy to them!!! Has anyone else had this problem? I think now that they are outside I won't have to worry about the dust in the house. I think I might wear a mask while playing with them for a bit and see. I am just hoping this is a coincidence and I just have a cold. But I am worried it is more my lungs and throat feel more irritated than with any cold I have ever gotten.

 

[citrusdreams]

The droppings of chickens often have bacteria and/or fungi in them, which can cause respiratory problems in people. We really need to make sure we get rid of all that dust in our homes when our birds are in our homes. Plus it would be a good idea to wear a mask when changing the bedding in the henhouse.

It might be a good idea for you to call your doctor so that he/she can advise you. You might be prescribed something. Or your sputum might be cultured first to make sure the right medication is prescribed.

Either way, because you're so irritated for so long, I would suggest you call your doctor sooner rather than later. If you do have parasites in your lungs, it's really nothing to take lightly.

I hope you feel better soon

 

[ChickieNikki]

hope it goes away, but keep us posted so we know in the future...you may help someone out, but here's hoping it's nothing at all related to the birdies!

 

[Judy]

Go to your doctor and tell him this history. Humans can get histoplasmosis from breathing this stuff.

Brooding in the house is not a good idea, sorry.

 

[MNmommy]

well I went to the dr and I have bronchitis. I have never had it before and she said it must be from all the feather dust that it got in my lungs and my body is trying to fight it off. So she did a breathing treatment at the office and sent me home with an inhaler, predisone, and zithomax. So bottom line is that feather dust is quite bad for us!!! I will not be brooder chicks in the house ever again. They will be in the garage. So anyone thinking about brooding in the house hopefully you will understand that it can be bad on the lungs.

 

[NJbirdlover]

I can't believe you made it 4.5 weeks! Mine just went into the garage last night at 2.5 weeks.

As much as I miss hearing and seeing them, I think I will keep them in the garage next time too.

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

If you keep them confined to one room it should be ok shouldn't it?

 

[walkswithdog]

Feather dust is as completely airborne as any other dust and no, it's not limited to one room, even if you think it's closed.

Lots of people who get cockatoos and cockatiels discover they are VERY or even dangerously sensitive to feather dust. Many have to relinquish them to get well.

Some people do get or are sensitive tothe bacteria that causes histoplasmosis. That's some serious stuff.

Most people don't react much to either. People with current respiratory issues should reconsider indoor brooding and clean a coop only with a mask on.

It's safe for most people but not all. If you have a child with asthma or RAD, or bronchitis it is also not a good idea.

I don't have a problem with it. But everyone is an individual where this is concerned, our health is individual.

 

[citrusdreams]

LOL NJBirdlover, you made it *that* long? I threw them out at two weeks

I can't STAND having them in the house with all that dust and smell, and really try to avoid it altogether.

cochin-bantam lover, confining it to one room will only make it that much more concentrated in that room. And, the dust will float to other areas of the house though cracks and crevices.

MNMommy, I'm do glad you chose to go to the doctor and I'm really glad you are getting treated, I hope you feel better soon