Can chicks in the house make me sick ?

[Chicken Woman]

I have 16 chicks in 2 different brooders. I have thm in my laundry/mud room that is 16 by 18. One brooder they are 4 weeks the other 1 day old.

Two men (who claim to be experienced farmers) at my husband job , have convinced him that they will make us sick !

They claim that having them in the house will give us sexually transmitted disease, flu,viruses etc.

I do not agree with what they are saying but need someone elses opinion. He say's they must know as they have been farming all there lives.

If you have a article to share or even an opinion based on experience I would appreciate your sharing it with me.

Thanks Lori

 

[Granolamom]

Quote:
...Dont't really know what to say about this. A chicken giving you a sexually transmitted disease??????? Hmmmmmmmm

 

[waynesgarden]

Ignore them. They are either pulling your husbands leg or they are (nearly) complete idiots.

But... chicks in a brooder can stir up a remarkable amount of dust. Some people react poorly to dusty conditions (I do,) and the dust from a brooder or any source can cause illness. Dust from brooders is especially fine and if you see that layer of very fine dust starting to form on everything, it's time to move them out.

At least in my experience.

Wayne

 

[Poohbear]

Can't happen! No Flu, No Sexually transmitted diseases. They are pulling your leg. There are some people allegic to chicken dander (feather dust) and there has been cases of Histoplasmosis (google it), but generally speaking you are more likely to catch flu from a co-worker. Keep your chicken area clean and dust free and neither you OR your chickens will suffer from any illness. Having said this, I still prefer to keep chickens outside but if people can keep dogs, cats, gieuna (sp?) pigs inside then why shouldn't a person keep a chicken inside? jmo

 

[Chickenaddict]

Hmmm I have had chickens in the house now for 8 months and have never gotten sick from them. There is NO way to get rid of the dust from chickens not unless you spend 24/7 next to them with a industrial vacuum. Pine shavings themselves are full of dust no matter how much they say it is screened for it. No way to get around it. I'd say if you are sensetive to dust then i would put them outdoors but if you dont mind wiping everything down once every few days and change the bedding once a week its not too bad

 

[Lesa]

If that was true there would be a lot of sick people on this forum! It is true the chicks stir up an awful lot of dust. Certainly, if you are allergic to dust, it would be best not to have them in the house... Enjoy them and get your chicken info from this sight!

 

[lovemychix]

Mine gave me OC disorder about the dust!

No sexually transmitted diseases thank goodness.

 

[Jennyhaschicks]

It sounds like they need a refresher course on how stds are transmitted!

 

[lovemychix]

Quote:
I agree. If your getting std's from a chicken you may need a lot of help.

 

[Chicken Woman]

Thank you ! Thank you ! Thank you !!!!!!!!

I use the shop vac everyother day and wipe surfaces with bleach and water frequently. Change shavings every 3 or 4 days. Use good hand washing after handleing them or cleaning after them. I wash feeders and waterers in water soap and bleach once a week.

I think these old duffers are crazy !!!!!!!

I cannot have them outside for a few more weeks on the month olds and at least 6 weeks on the day olds. The only place I could put the brooders would be the garage and it is still to cold here for them. Even with a heat lamp IM afraid it would be to cold. We get well below zero some nights.