Chickens and smoke

[Wolfpacker]

There is a 63 square mile forest fire burning in eastern North Carolina. Smoke is spreading across the state. A "code red" air alert has been issued here in Raleigh and folks are being told to stay indoors and find a gym in which to walk, run, or exercise.

Do you think this will be bad for my chickens?

Thanks!

 

[jessica117]

I know it can't be good, but I don't really know what to tell you to do for them. How many chickens do you have? Would it be possible to coop them and cover the windows with wet sheets? It wouldn't get all the smoke, but I'd think it might help.

That's the only thing I could come up with... hopefully someone else has a better idea.

Jess

 

[Wolfpacker]

I have five. Right now they're out on the grass.

 

[jessica117]

If you only have five you could possibly bring them in the house (or at least the garage) for at least a couple hours a day. Any relief from the smoke I would think would help. I have 25 so the thought of trying to cage them in my den is out of the question. A large cardboard box with plastic underneath it and something over the top would keep them from messing in the house but would get them into some fresh air.

Good luck and hopefully they'll get the fire under control soon.

We had about 1000 acres burn in the mountains right behind my house last spring but I only had 3 chickens at the time. They spent about a week in the house in a similar setup till they got the fire put out.

Jess

 

[Sparrow]

I know smoke is deadly for parrots, and birds in general have more sensitive respiratory systems than we do. I would bring them inside for sure.

 

[mainchick]

I am down in Socal and we got evacuated from the fires in October. Try to keep them in out of the weather. the ash is really bad and it will continue to fly and irritate for weeks after the fires are out!!

 

[therealsilkiechick]

take them indoors, they easilly can get respitory probs. mine caught infectous bronchidous from my idiot friend burning a burn pile near them and the smoke going over cages last year. trust me don't risk it save ur babies!!!

 

[sammi]

I'm all the way down near Louisburg, NC..and yesterday and last night I could smell the smoke..
pretty scary..and tonight it's breezy..
and they aren't calling for rain till maybe Sunday..


I had an idiot neighbor who burned some trash..they had cleaned out a relative's house, and there were some chemicals..maybe for cars or whatever..I could smell it..
but when I saw the smoke and went outside, it just about choked me..
and there was the smoke..going right across my coops and pens..
I freaked out..
I thought sure it would kill my birds.

He doesn't burn trash over there anymore.

 

[therealsilkiechick]

u were very lucky. i went through 2 weeks antibiotics some had to have 3 weeks of it and lost 7 i think it was to nycropsy's and ib, culling and all that went with it plus i had to quarenteen and vacinate about 200 birds that all made it through.

i still have to vaccinate yearly now and any i add to the flock. it is very heartbreaking and the worst thing i've ever went through with them and i don't wish respitory probs for anyones flocks so please bring those chookies inside or do something to protect them cuz environment and what they r exposed to can cause some serious problems and possibly kill especially when it comes to smoke u don't know what is in it. even certain wood alone burning can cause it.
silkie

 

[bantamgal]

Quote:
agh !

Some people just dont realise what they are doing to other living beings