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

[LynneP]

Most hardware stores carry both masks and respirators. In Canada they're rated for various kinds of inhalants...

 

[Akane]

You could actually be just clogging up your respiratory tract with dust. Whenever we'd unload large amounts of uncleaned oats, stack hay, shovel large amounts of sawdust for bedding, etc... my nose would be filled with black gunk and mucus for a few days. I had no other symptoms and no allergies. Birds are really dusty. A dust mask by itself may solve your problems.

 

[Mortimer]

I kinda get the same stuff anytime I'm around a LOT of dust, when sweeping out the barns, coop, whatever. We keep hay on the floor of the coop and shovel/fork it out a few times a year for compost.

Normal trips to change out nestbox bedding, gather eggs, etc. don't bother me but when I get to shoveling/sweeping it gets my nose and chest going something fierce!

I've taken to wearing a dust mask when I go to clean the coop or barns now, or I make my 15-year-old do it. If you buy a dust mask or respirator, buy one that has a N95 or higher rating. N95 is the minimum rating recommended by the CDC to prevent inhalation of most disease-causing bacteria such as ecoli, hanta virus, etc.

The ones at Home Depot, etc. usually are only a N90 rating. I bought mine at http://respirators.4ursafety.com/ there are several different styles and run about $20 for a box of 20. They're disposable but I use them several times before throwing away.

 

[rebbetzin]

Yes, I too am finding I have to wear a mask or I wind up with a cough and breathing difficulties. I had asthma as a kid, and I figure my lungs are just not up to the task.

I use the cheapy dust masks to clean the run and coop. I keep them in an container with lid, inside the potting shed next to the coop. I keep all my "chicken stuff" in a big plastic container I bought for a brooder, but never used.

 

[kinnip]

I've been using the cheap masks, but I think I need a proper respirator. Even the masks cause an allergic reaction. I always have a ring of itchy redness on my face after I use one. It tends to last 24 hours or so, for now.