Do pigeons carry diseases...

[Golden Egg]

That people or other farm animals/pets can catch?

 

[Curtiejlee]

Only if you ingest their poop or lick a sick one! You have just as much of a chance of getting sick from one as a cat or a dog!

 

[Hokum Coco]

Recently we had a woman in my province die from apparent contact with a pigeon (then again some people die from contact with peanut butter shell fish and the like). I have been around the sun 63 times and have been in contact with pigeons for many years with no safe guards or side affects. That being said when I do a deep clean of my loft in the future I will wear a dust mask.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/messages/messages/view/id/2864122/box/683913

 

[fowlsessed]

Of course they do. Except that for humans it's (at least usually) less of a transfer of disease as it is a negative reaction to the"by products" of pigeons. Though things like salmonella might be a problem? Either way, no more than with chickens or anything else, when properly cared for. Especially chickens and other poultry would be at risk of catching a disease. But not that it WILL happen, and not that it's any more likely to happen from pigeons than from anything else. I'm sure you're worried about the "disease ridden pest" idea so many have about pigeons, but it's really uncalled for.

 

[Golden Egg]

Thanks for your replies. Actually, I'm not worried about germs. I'm very laid back about germs (probably too much!). But I wanted assurance for family members that might worry.
Any more voices of experience would be appreciated.

 

[loftkeeper]

this person was asking a good question lets not answer with silly things give good info or were to find it go to npausa.com national pigeon website many useful info there

 

[jak2002003]

They carry no more diseases than any other domestic bird.

Keep their coop reasonable clean and you will have no problems.

Main problem that pigeon fanciers can get is PIGEON LUNG.

This is caused by the dust from the birds feathers being breathed into your lungs over a long period for time. Then you body has a reaction against it. It is very serious condition. You can look it up in a web search.

Good news is you can totally prevent this and its easy!

Just keep the loft well ventilated and clean. If you have to do a big clean out just wear a dust mask.

In you loft design, have as much ventilation as you can, even have an entire side or couple of sides of the loft totally open - just covered in wire mesh.

Sand is great on the floor, and you should rake it over once a week and remove the piles of feathers - thats a good time to wear the dust mask.

 

[sourland]

'Pigeon lung' is an allergic sensitization to pigeon dander that can cause serious health issues. Do a computer search on this condition. I know several fanciers who had to get rid of their pigeons because of this condition. I wear a canister type particle mask whenever I enter/clean my lofts.

 

[RDchicken99]

'Pigeon lung' is an allergic sensitization to pigeon dander that can cause serious health issues. Do a computer search on this condition. I know several fanciers who had to get rid of their pigeons because of this condition. I wear a canister type particle mask whenever I enter/clean my lofts.

A note on what @sourland said, Pigeon Lung is an umbrella term. The whole condition is called Bird Fancier’s Lung. You can get this from any dusty bird! For example, chickens, budgies, cockatiels, and turkeys all are dustier birds. I would think a majority of the cases would be from people who aren’t careful when cleaning out coops and lofts. Keeping a coop/loft in good condition, and wearing a dust mask when you clean will significantly lower your chances of catching Bird Lung. Sorry for the rant

 

[RDchicken99]

Also I just noticed that this is an old thread hah.