Does cleaning after your flock cause YOU any upper respiratory issues?

[geareduplyn]

A good respirator when cleaning pigeon or chicken coops is cheap insurance.

 

[snowydiamonds]

I'm allergic to most animals and seasonal allergies, too. I haven't been wearing a mask or neckerchief while cleaning coops but not much stirs up, either. I think I react more to the shredded paper or paper dust from the last office job I had so I went back to another previous job where I can work outside 3 seasons of the year, w/my dogs accompanying me. No, giving up birds or other animals is not an option for me, either. Living in a sterile environment without the fun loving animals in my life, as my mother raised me for my allergies, I was allergic to myself!

 

[Catalina]

Just black boogers!

 

[Aneesa's Muse]

Thanks, everyone!

No boogers of any color here.. just coughing up stuff from my lungs... yummy custard type stuff. Now, DH is convinced that he's sick cuz of the birds ...and he doesn't go anywhere near them.. for any reason whatsoever..

I will continue to use the mask and/or a respirator ...and get some of that Stable Boy type powder to go along with the DE. Thanks for that idea, LynneP!

snowydiamonds.. I think my DH's parents robbed him of having animals as a child, as well ..and it's the biggest issue he has with all of mine.

 

[mtnhomechick]

If you want to get info .....Google Histoplasmosis. There have been several members on here who thought they might have it. I think it's good to wear eye protection too bc the dust can enter through the eyes.

 

[cmom]

I don't have any problems but my sister does and does like a previous post said, she wears a disposible respirator.

 

[vermontgal]

I don't have any problems with the coop, but I am religious with a high-quality ($40) respirator when I do anything with serious cleaners, bleach, or dust-producing home improvement projects (like November's project of blowing loose-fill cellulose insulation into my tenant's attic). I used it when I sanded and polyurethaned my maple floors, too. It helped that the polyurethane I used was non-toxic soy-based poly. Aside from the "big" projects, I think it's helpful just for serious household cleaning!

If you have problems, I would recommend to get a good quality respirator. When I have mine on, I cannot even smell the bleach I am using.

Buy a good one, and then you can use it all the time, not just for cleaning the chicken coop. I

my respirator.

 

[mtnhomechick]

Quote:
May I ask where you bought it? I would be very interested in buying a good quality respirator.

 

[Aneesa's Muse]

Thank you, vermontgal...

I am going to look into getting a respirator for the coop cleaning and some other projects that I work on around here, with my artwork.

I don't need it for household cleaning, as I don't use any type of toxic cleaners or sundries, etc. in my home... none, whatsoever!

 

[colby318]

Claritin quick dissolve clears up my sinuses when I clean the run. Ugh, the dust!