Dust allergy and coops

[AquaDuck]

I write "allergy" since "what to do when you have a bad reaction to coop-stuff" sounded a bit long winded. Not sure where to post this, but since it's housing related, I try here.

Anyone struggle with reactions to dust etc?
Any tips and tricks? Have you tried different beddings to see what's best for you? Ventilation? Cleaning coops? What, if any, protection (masks) do you use?
Looking for general advice and your experiences.

I've developed such a severe reaction that I have to use an actual rubber gas mask with dust filter to not get a splitting head ache. Normal dust masks don't do anything anymore. I'm gonna do some major changes to the birds' living arrangements come summer. Shaving as bedding will be gone and replaced with sand in the one coop where that's practical. Have no idea what to do with the ducks yet. I use straw for them in their house, and thinking of building a new house that's on the ground and use gravel and sand for them too.

 

[LulaBell]

I went out and did complete clean of my coop, top to bottom. Pulled out the bedding (shavings) as well as the straw from the nest boxes. I do this regularly - maybe once a month or so and always have a bit of a reaction, some sneezing/runny nose etc. This time in particular I came down with a severe respiratory infection. I had blood drawn and was tested for legionnaires among other things, had chest x-rays, the whole 9. A couple thousand $$ later, I ended up on antibiotics, 2x daily breathing treatments, and an inhaler for a bit and they still didn't know what was going on. I believe it was a reaction to what I breathed in from my coop.

Now I make sure I am covering my mouth and nose with something, a filter mask or at least a hankie. I haven't changed the type of bedding I use yet. We moved a couple months ago and it took a while to get us situated and we're still working on the new coop. I think in the spring I am going to try some new things, sand being one of them. Let me know how it goes for you!

 

[aart]

I've developed such a severe reaction that I have to use an actual rubber gas mask with dust filter to not get a splitting head ache. Normal dust masks don't do anything anymore.

How long have you kept birds and when did the reaction begin?
Might need to see a doctor.

 

[AquaDuck]

How long have you kept birds and when did the reaction begin?
Might need to see a doctor.

Had birds for 20 years, and I didn't need to use anything when I changed bedding in the beginning. I began reacting to it about 5 years ago, and it got worse when I got a part time job at a petting zoo where I spend most of the day in a barn. Last year I started getting a head ache every time I handled straw or hay (I know I'm not allergic to hay. Well, I didn't use to be at least.), and lately it's been just walking into the coop and out again without a mask.

Yeah, seriously considering seeing a doctor...

 

[AquaDuck]

I went out and did complete clean of my coop, top to bottom. Pulled out the bedding (shavings) as well as the straw from the nest boxes. I do this regularly - maybe once a month or so and always have a bit of a reaction, some sneezing/runny nose etc. This time in particular I came down with a severe respiratory infection. I had blood drawn and was tested for legionnaires among other things, had chest x-rays, the whole 9. A couple thousand $$ later, I ended up on antibiotics, 2x daily breathing treatments, and an inhaler for a bit and they still didn't know what was going on. I believe it was a reaction to what I breathed in from my coop.

Now I make sure I am covering my mouth and nose with something, a filter mask or at least a hankie. I haven't changed the type of bedding I use yet. We moved a couple months ago and it took a while to get us situated and we're still working on the new coop. I think in the spring I am going to try some new things, sand being one of them. Let me know how it goes for you!

That's interesting. Must have been something nasty since you were put on antibiotics. There's always a risk at breathing mold and spores and stuff when we handle organic materials, so a mask is always a good idea. That's why I'm thinking sand is better too, it's inorganic and less likely to have naughty little stuff in it. Everything we breath, the birds breath too.

 

[aart]

Had birds for 20 years, and I didn't need to use anything when I changed bedding in the beginning. I began reacting to it about 5 years ago, and it got worse when I got a part time job at a petting zoo where I spend most of the day in a barn. Last year I started getting a head ache every time I handled straw or hay (I know I'm not allergic to hay. Well, I didn't use to be at least.), and lately it's been just walking into the coop and out again without a mask.

Yeah, seriously considering seeing a doctor...

Gonna be really hard to pin down what is causing the reaction.
There are several diseases attributed to long term exposure to bird habitat.
Best of cLuck.

 

[Sueby]

Wow, that stinks. I would for sure see a doc about that.

I have lots of allergies so I have always tried to wear an N95 mask when I work with the chickens. Then my sisters boss spent 4 days in the hospital with Psittacosis (bird pneumonia) from cleaning the coop. It's important to be cautious with these things.

I hope you get some answers and relief!

 

[Folly's place]

Also be tested for Histoplasmosos, along with all the rest.
I wear a N95 dust mask out there, because none of that dust is healthy to inhale! Just because it seemed fine for a long time, now it's not.
Chicken make dust! I can't recommend a way to avoid it in a coop, regardless of the bedding.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

I couldn't edit this last post. It's Histoplasmosis.
Mary

 

[LulaBell]

That's interesting. Must have been something nasty since you were put on antibiotics. There's always a risk at breathing mold and spores and stuff when we handle organic materials, so a mask is always a good idea. That's why I'm thinking sand is better too, it's inorganic and less likely to have naughty little stuff in it. Everything we breath, the birds breath too.

I'm not sure what happened. I routinely deep clean the coop, and spot clean in between times and nothing that sever has happened before. Possibly my immune system was low this cleaning?? Either way it was awful. I kept an eye on the girls though, they did not show any signs of a respiratory illness so that was good.