Can the dust from chicks feathers really hurt you?

[P0U1TRYP3RS0N]

I have a brood of silkies chicks I've been keeping in my bedroom. I've always noticed the "pixie dust" (as my brother and I jokingly call it) that chicks give off while getting their feathers, and we've had to dust out the shed where we brood the chicks in spring, and it's just everywhere! Anyways, I'm wondering after reading another post in which someone mentioned lung problems from birds, can that dust really hurt you? As I've said, the silkies have been living in my room for almost two months, so it worries me!

 

[Justino]

ive also wondered this :|

 

[speckledhen]

No more than any other pet dander. Shedding dogs can be just as bad sometimes, I think.

 

[brooster]

Yes it can. My mom is a nurse, and i wanted a parakeet she talked to a lung doctor she works with and told her some lung disease it causes. When she gets home i will ask her about it and post it here.

 

[silkiechicken]

As with any pet bird.. or any pets that have dander, it will be a respiratory irritant which can make you more susceptible to lung problems. It's like living in a dusty city or one filled with smog. More particles in the air, the worse it is on your system. It doesn't stop me though.

 

[speckledhen]

Parakeets are not exactly the same as chickens, IMO, but naturally, if you let that type of dust build up in your house, it would cause problems! Here is what you may be talking about, brooster:

Allergic Alveolitis
Allergic alveolitis has a number of names among which include hypersensitivity pneumonitis, parakeet dander pneumoconiosis and pigeon lung disease. It occurs in people who are hypersensitive to feathers, feather dust, and fecal material -- especially from pigeons and budgies. Signs can occur within two years but often take as long as 10 - 20 years with continued exposure.

It may occur in an acute, subacute or chronic form. The acute form occurs within 4 - 8 hours of inhalation of a high level of feathers, featherdust and/or feces. Coughing, difficulty breathing, chills and fever occur. If exposure is stopped at this time, no treatment is necessary and the signs will disappear. The subacute form results from long term exposure. A dry cough and progresssive breathing difficulty occur. This form may also be reversed if continued exposure is stopped. If continued exposure occurs, a chronic, nonreversible form occurs -- leading to progressive difficulty breathing, a dry cough and weight loss.

Allergic alveolitis decreases lung capacity and causes impaired diffusion of air through the alveoli of the lungs.

Although this disease is thought to occur in genetically predisposed individuals, one can take certain steps to minimize dander in the environment. These include cleaning cages daily, bathing birds frequently, avoiding overcrowding, providing good ventilation, and using an air purification system.​

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

If its in the house you can usually open a window like I do and have a fan blowing out while dusting. If its outside I have the coop door open and clean it out

 

[PurpleChicken]

Birds create many different kinds of dust. Most are harmless or just irritants.

They do produce one type of dust, a byproduct of feathers, that can have the
same effect as fiberglass particles or asbestos. These fine particles lodge themselves
into lung tissue and will do damage. There is a condition called bird cough or something
like it that afflicts people who have had LONG TERM exposure to birds. I have read,
although I can't quote the source, people in this category have the same risk
of lung cancer as smokers.

Having broods of chickens in your house won't produce enough of this substance
to do harm. I'd be more concerned with allergies and asthma.

You have nothing to worry about with those silkies.


Gotta do it: I would be concerned with those silkies getting out of the brooder
and attacking you while you sleep. They are evil ya know.

 

[speckledhen]

I think there's a difference in brooding some chicks in a room temporarily and living with parakeets in your house on a permanent basis.

 

[DuckLady]

I have a duck in the house right now and I am sneezing and coughing up a storm. I know it is allergic reaction to the dander she is casting off.
As soon as she is able to go back out, I will clear up. If I had her in the hosue long term, I would take better measures to protect myself.