Do you wear a face mask to clean a backyard coop?

[birdwrangler057]

I would use a mask for sand.

 

[WilloughbyStead]

I clean our large coop daily, and I never use a mask. Sure it smells crazy and I've wondered in my mind if I was going to catch the plague, but we keep things pretty clean, swept out and refresh bedding regularly. I don't think masks are necessary if you're coop is maintained. If its healthy for the birds it should be healthy for us right?

 

[theoldchick]

This is my coop cleaning gear. Dang critter cam will photograph anything.

 

[birdwrangler057]

I clean our large coop daily, and I never use a mask. Sure it smells crazy and I've wondered in my mind if I was going to catch the plague, but we keep things pretty clean, swept out and refresh bedding regularly. I don't think masks are necessary if you're coop is maintained. If its healthy for the birds it should be healthy for us right?

That is true in a lot of ways, especially if you clean the coop every day, but chickens are immune to a lot of things we aren't, and vice versa. I never wear a mask either, maybe a bandanna every once and a while.

 

[birdwrangler057]

This is my coop cleaning gear. Dang critter cam will photograph anything.

Wow, you sure have a lot of pets/livestock!

 

[birdwrangler057]

This is my coop cleaning gear. Dang critter cam will photograph anything.

Wow, you sure have a lot of pets/livestock!

 

[WilloughbyStead]

Hahaha, love the pic

 

[Cacique500]

I wear an N95 mask...ALWAYS...when cleaning the coop. I've got 100% granular pdz in the coop and run, and there's still a tremendous amount of dust. On my camera system when the IR turns on it looks like a blizzard in there. I regularly vaccum/blow out the coop, but the dust is there.

Here's a quick youtube from the camera system showing the dust...just because you don't see it doesn't mean it's not there!

 

[krysium]

I was interviewing a potential house sitter who has never dealt with chickens before. She house sits for a friend of mine who keeps some doves in an aviary and she said that she always wears a face mask when she cleans the dove cage. I got the impression that she thinks she should also wear one when she is cleaning my coop.

Dust from chicken feces, and dust from certain bird dander, can cause long lasting respiratory issues. Histoplasomosis can be transmitted through dried bird droppings, as well as other issues. Not everyone will get it, but those who do can have serious complications.