Chickens and asthma

[kesali]

Anyone have problems with chicken dust and asthma (or other such allergy)? If so, how do you deal with it? Am getting my first chicks from Meyer shipped this Monday. After I ordered them, I started running across statements about chickens producing lots of chicken dust. This could be a problem and I certainly cannot be the only one, so am wondering how others deal with it.

 

[ranchhand]

They produce a HUGE amount of dust and dander. It may be better if you brood them somewhere outside of the house and always wear a mask when tending them. It's not fun, but it does help prevent asthma "incidents".

 

[geebs]

ditto.. The type of feed you give them makes a difference also... and the bedding... in general they are a lung hazard so away from ppl is the way to go.

 

[kesali]

Thanks much! I built a brooder for them and will put it in the garage with a good heat lamp (250 watt). The bedding is paper toweling for a few days, then wood shavings. The mask is a good idea if it seems like things are not going so well.