Help- new chickens, spouse severely allergic to feed

[odchooks]

First time chicken owners. We just got 2 backyard chickens and my husband has been having severe asthma/allergies whenever in the yard. We are really hoping it is the dust and volatiles from the feed since he is super allergic to grasses and first ingredient is milo/sorghum. We had the bag of layer feed in the kitchen while waiting for our rat proof bin and he can’t go in the kitchen now without an asthma attack. I hope it’s that and not the actual chickens..

Anyone know of a good milo free feed or suggestions on how to make our own?

 

[nuthatched]

Have you made sure it's the feed? I would definitely move the feed to outside in a metal garbage can and possibly get treadle feeders to slow down the rats and reduce dust.

 

[CHlCKEN]

I have kept chickens in the house (not as house pets, just to recover from illness/injury) before and a family member here also has asthma and bad allergies. The dust, and such from the birds works up this persons allergies just like you are saying happened to your husband.

 

[Nigel27]

Soaking the feed will reduce dust

 

[Alaskan]

First time chicken owners. We just got 2 backyard chickens and my husband has been having severe asthma/allergies whenever in the yard. We are really hoping it is the dust and volatiles from the feed since he is super allergic to grasses and first ingredient is milo/sorghum. We had the bag of layer feed in the kitchen while waiting for our rat proof bin and he can’t go in the kitchen now without an asthma attack. I hope it’s that and not the actual chickens..

Anyone know of a good milo free feed or suggestions on how to make our own?

The fact that he is reacting when in the yard is worrying.

Corn free feeds are relatively easy to find... no idea if milo freed feed could be found.

Was he allergic to the chicks?

If you hold a chicken and walk past him does he react?

 

[odchooks]

He has a horrible allergy to grass and proteins on plant cell walls (he can’t eat any vegetables unless I cook them to death) and had an anaphylactic reaction to being too close to a bag of cellulose powder once so my hope is it is the food and not the chickens. We have a dog and two dusty budgerigars in the house with no issues. The food is out of the house but the food and pine shavings outside might still be a problem. Can’t find milo free food so will look for mix recipes and try soaking the food until I have something different. Thanks all.

 

[odchooks]

In case any one else has a similar issue- we switched to ”henup” food- soy and milo free and it solved the asthma problem. Smells better too and Chickens are crazy for it.

 

[kerbotx]

I'm curious as to what you were feeding to begin with - milo is a common ingredient in chicken scratch & all-grain feeds, but not in regular pelleted feeds. I'm glad the Hen Up is working better for you - I've seen it on chewy.com and have been curious about it myself!

 

[Alaskan]

In case any one else has a similar issue- we switched to ”henup” food- soy and milo free and it solved the asthma problem. Smells better too and Chickens are crazy for it.

Wonderful to hear that the solution was so easy

 

[odchooks]

I'm curious as to what you were feeding to begin with - milo is a common ingredient in chicken scratch & all-grain feeds, but not in regular pelleted feeds. I'm glad the Hen Up is working better for you - I've seen it on chewy.com and have been curious about it myself!

hmm...I was having trouble finding layer feed without milo ( sorghum ) or other potential related allergens but I'm a new feed-shopper. (I gave the old one away already and don’t remember the brand- came with the chickens). Anyway, Henup smells good too -like peanut butter (but no peanuts). Might have to ration it though if they don't slow down a bit ( maybe it's the novelty?). They ate so much they have little interest in my treats right now