Hi, I just joined. I’m in Indiana. I can’t believe I’ve been reading this Forum most of the day! I know chickens make a lot of dust, however, I never expected as much as there was. I took half of my greenhouse (the north side) and made a chicken house. And both are connected to the end of a mini barn, which I intended to use for a garage but never did, but the large garage door opens up into the greenhouse I’ve raised chickens for years, however, last spring I cleaned my chicken house, and the mini barn, and have been sick ever since. First with a severe sinus infection, then one thing after the other. I had to get rid of my chickens—too sick to take care of them. I am just getting over it, and now i want some more chickens. But I won’t hardly even go into the mini barn, or greenhouse, and am afraid to try to raise chickens like that again. So I am thinking of making just a small chicken house, maybe 4 X 4 and just have 6-7 chickens. I had about 25, before the possums killed half of them. Anyone have these problems? Any advice? Of course, I am 81, so that does make a difference.
Welcome to BYC from the Western Sierra Foothills (in California's wine country). Renee, I wear a painting mask when I have to do major "cleaning" in the coop. I've got close to 50 chickens (plus some ducks, a couple of geese and three turkeys) and the deep litter method works very well for me. I also open the bales of shavings, when I add more, then just leave the shakings right there in a big pile; the chickens spread it out for me! Hope that helps some...
Yes, I sure will use a mask. And I always use the deep litter method. However, I don't want to have to use a mask when I work in the greenhouse and mini barn. So I suppose, I'll get my son to help me build a small chicken house. And I thought putting them in half my green house was such a good idea. Oh well, Live and learn.
Welcome to BYC. Poultry dander/dust allergies can cause serious medical problems. Chickens are not so bad at causing lung problems as are pigeons, but once sensitized it does not go away. gryeyes gives excellent advice about the mask. When working in my pigeon lofts, I always wear a cannister type respirator/mask.
Greetings from Kansas, Renee81, and ! Great to have you with us!! Best of luck to you and your chickens!
Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan 4 square feet per bird is a minimum size for a coop, so a 4x4 coop would hold 4 birds.
