Coop Cleaning Safety

[brewfarm]

Hand washing definitely a good idea....especially before handling and/or eating food, touching your face or mouth.
Double especially for smaller kids.

Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter spp.)
Salmonella
E.Coli
Can all be carried by chickens and make you sick as all get out.

I don't honestly know what I got. The doc said I can do a test that will be back in 2 days or I can put you on a broad spectrum antibiotic now. So I took the antibiotics, got a box of plastic gloves and a bottle of hand sanitizer. After that I always wash my hands before and after.

 

[Fishkeeper]

A lot of hardware stores sell anti-allergen face masks to be worn when mowing lawns. One of those might be worth a shot, though I wouldn't call it mandatory. Hand washing definitely is!

 

[JDN]

A lot of hardware stores sell anti-allergen face masks to be worn when mowing lawns. One of those might be worth a shot, though I wouldn't call it mandatory. Hand washing definitely is!

I agree...simple dust mask is probably prudent...a respirator is probably overkill...

 

[igorsMistress]

The only reason I wear a mask is because I have some really bad allergies and bedding can create quite a bit of dust if it's dry when you clean. If that's a problem for you, a dust mask should be fine.
We have a poop board under the roost and I clean it without a mask. If you're in a well ventilated area you probably won't have issues. Just wash as you do.

 

[mamamama124]

Thank you to everyone for your responses! The feedback really helped settle my mind. I'll be watchful and will probably have my husband and son (who both have asthmatic tendencies) stay clear of the coop if it's particularly dusty. And I'll probably become even more of a handwasher! Was looking at diy outdoor sink projects yesterday. Have a great weekend!

 

[JDN]

Thinking about this again...OP mentioned 5 chickens and a portable coop. So 4x8 type footprint maximum and probably less. This can be cleaned with a rake in five minutes...

 

[nerfworthy]

I only wear a mask if I'm sweeping inside the hen house and it's super dusty because I have allergies to animal dander. I don't do it because I think I'm going to get sick if I don't, I just don't want to have a sneezing attack in the middle of trying to tend to my girls LOL.

 

[PirateGirl]

I don't generally wear a dust mask but admittedly they are dusty critters and the wind has a way of blowing through when the coop door is open. I do always wear sunglasses or safety glasses because I've gotten bedding in my eyes too many times. I didn't get sick, but it's unpleasant to have something scratchy in your eyes for days.

 

[Folly's place]

I have a bigger coop, and 40+ chickens, and it's dusty out there! If I'm spending any extended time in the coop, it's with a N95 face mask on. Always when shoveling out the deep litter!
Mucking out horse stalls is nothing like cleaning out a chicken coop!
Be safe, wear the face mask, gloves are good, and wash up!
Mary

 

[zibercat]

I tried to clean my chicken coop, second hand, I used a paint scraper, a shop vac, a broom and a hoe. I was 75% done when the sneezing started, I was just wearing a bandana over my nose and mouth. The following day I got this thick phlegm. So before I continue with the cleaning, I will get a respirator for mold/lead removal. I was told to spray the coop with 50/50 clorox bleach solution and hand scrub the inside of the coop.