Chickens and Lung Diease

[Evy]

I have 6 Silkie chickens that I have raised inside. They are 3 months old. I do not have anywhere to put them outside and I feel it is to cold for them. I have them in cages with a drop pan underneath that has wood shavings in it. Someone told me that you can get a lung diease from chickens. A fungus that grows in the droppings can make you sick. I do not want to get rid of my chickens but I do not want to get sick either. Can you give me any information concerning this and what I need to do to prevent getting sick.

 

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

Hello Evy and Welcome,
Start by telling us what State you live in.
Silkies are my weakness.

I am sure any animal or bird in the house coluld posr a health problem.. I can not tell you how many houses I have been in in my life that stunk of cat so bad the secound they opened the door, AND MOST HAD NO IDEA.

My point is keep it clean change it often. If you have a garage or shed you can move them out side. Just get your self a heat lamp and a Red heat lightbulb.

 

[silkiechicken]

I have not heard of any lung diseases from chickens. I am sure if you were living in a chicken barn with high ammonia, you'd become more succeptible to lung problems, but there isn't anything to my knowledge that the birds will give you. Just keep it clean. The concern may stem from all types of indoor birds including parrots who's dander can affect some individuals allergy wise.

 

[Jillylam]

Hi Evy,
Here is a link to some information on Avian Disease Transmissible to Humans. I read this before getting chickens and freaked out. As a matter of fact, I read way too much and got brain overload - I still do. It's good stuff to be aware of but not to get too nuts over. I agree with the advice 'keep it clean'. I think that is the key. The other thing I pay close attention to (doesn't apply to you right now) is dust from the shavings. I think it can be pretty irritating if stirred up a lot.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PS019

 

[Juliechickens]

Hi Evy, Keep those babies inside if you can. They do not like the cold cold air unless you have some source for them to get heat outside like a heated barn or whatever. I would keep them inside if I were you. I haven't heart of any lung disease from chickens. Just keep the pin nice and clean in the drop pan and you should be fine. If you do eventually decide to put them outside some,,,make sure you wait till winter is over. Good luck< Julie

 

[ole-crone]

Besides diseases that you can catch from birds, the fine powder that is created from their wings can coat your lungs and do alot of damage. I have a friend who almost died from raising parrots/cockatiels, etc and she had a bird club friend who did die (he slept with his parrot). My friend had to sell or give away all of her birds. Her lungs were badly damaged. We have one parrot and I think about it everytime I wipe up the white powder from around his cage. Most of it is right in the vicinity of the cage so I feel better knowing that we don't have his cage near any chair where someone might sit regularly.

 

[dlhunicorn]

You are referring to blastomycosis (from droppings and really quite rare) or aspergillosis .
Keeping the humidity up (preventing dust...birds should have the humidity above 72% anyway) and most importantly cleaning often and not allowing build up will ensure there is little to no risk.
Mist with OXINE or VIRKONS and your risks are next to nihil.

 

[silky ma]

I HAVE 18 SILKIES INSIDE WITH ME IN PENS
till I can build the houses the way I want them.
They have been inside with us since my first ones hatched in -----September 0f 006!!!!!!!!

All you have to do is keep a tower filter going
constantly since you are using the shavings.
I have 3 pens. One pen holding two broody mamas. I bring them in at 5pm and they go out in the morning at 730 am. I use only paper
for the liners and the shavings only for the mamas. I finally found pics of a hen house that are suitable for cold weather and we are in the planning stage of building.

I keep my house filter vacuumed and changed upon turning grey. I use a vacuum with a hepa filter. Since they are silkies I PREEN THEIR FEATHERS OUTSIDE!!!! This establishes a bond of trust and love , esp with my roos!!! All my floors are either hard wood or tile. People dont realize what impact carpet can have on their lungs!!!! Formaldehyde among other toxic gasses (sp) is given off and with each step you are breaking off fibers that you breathe in!!!