INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

You guys/gals...I think I am allergic to pine shavings. Since the day I changed the chicks' bedding from paper towels to pine shavings, I have been out of commission. I have barely been able to stay awake all day. Yesterday I was awake for 4 out of 24 hours. 


I managed to move the brooder to the mud room where it can be closed off, but just now I went in to check on the chicks and my head split open with the worst pain.


I had been thinking that I was having a bad reaction to pollen or mold, since this is our first spring at the new house. Tons of trees, and it's been so wet. Zyrtec isn't helping, though. 


I guess I will be looking for alternative bedding today. And some other kind of medicine. I have lost so much work time already, and am just a bear to be around. Can barely think, no appetite, just feel awful. Wish me luck on the alternative bedding. I am so ready to feel like myself again.

Try Allegra. That is what my allergy specialist has me use. Good luck and hope you feel better!

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Do you have similar symptoms when you react to other allergens?  I'm a lifetime sufferer, and I'm not familiar with drowsiness as a common airborne allergy symptom.  Food allergies, on the other hand, often present with the things you're describing.  Have you had an allergen panel lately?

Maybe a reaction to the Zyrtec? I neve get drowsy from things like pollen and such, an allergic reaction to food is much different

 

[Leahs Mom]

Adorable! I also wanted to say a big YES to the heat lamp thing! The bulbs they sell for brooder lamps are WAAAAAY overkill! Back when I used a clamp lamp, my babies did just fine with a 60 watt bulb as long as the lamp was at just the right height. Now I've been spoiled by the brooder plate and I don't think I could go back to a heat lamp!

Which kind of heat plate do you have - the Brinsea or the Premier? I just ordered the Premier for my new kiddos... I think it will arrive today. I decided I would NEVER brood again with a light if I could help it. And prefer a broody always but this was a surprise arrival of chicks that I wasn't expecting.

Supposed to come in today. Right now I only have a 74 watt red bulb (for lizzards) on them and it's more than hot enough. But it's pretty close to them. I've noticed that most my broody babies are out in 40 degree weather within a week with little time under mom except at night. I'll be interested to see how quickly these non-brooded kiddos do.

I HATE brooding unnaturally. These kids need a mamma.

About herbs: Because of some of our nostalgic discussions on this thread, I ordered/received some Patchouli plants from: The Growers Exchange
I used to be able to buy them locally. If anyone is looking for herbs not available in their area, you probably could find them from the company I used. I just ran across them online, and was happy with their service.

Oh NO!!!! Another hippy chick :0

You guys/gals...I think I am allergic to pine shavings. Since the day I changed the chicks' bedding from paper towels to pine shavings, I have been out of commission. I have barely been able to stay awake all day. Yesterday I was awake for 4 out of 24 hours.

It may be that they have some mold spores or something in them that is bothering you...or just dust mites.

 

[alliejean]

You guys/gals...I think I am allergic to pine shavings. Since the day I changed the chicks' bedding from paper towels to pine shavings, I have been out of commission. I have barely been able to stay awake all day. Yesterday I was awake for 4 out of 24 hours.

I managed to move the brooder to the mud room where it can be closed off, but just now I went in to check on the chicks and my head split open with the worst pain.

I had been thinking that I was having a bad reaction to pollen or mold, since this is our first spring at the new house. Tons of trees, and it's been so wet. Zyrtec isn't helping, though.

I guess I will be looking for alternative bedding today. And some other kind of medicine. I have lost so much work time already, and am just a bear to be around. Can barely think, no appetite, just feel awful. Wish me luck on the alternative bedding. I am so ready to feel like myself again.

If you have any friends that use essential oils see if you can get a sample of Lavender from them. I have had horible allergies for most of my life but the last couple years I have been able to avoid taking meds and have just used essential oils. From time to time my eyes get terribly itchy though so I do use Zaditor eye drops once in a while, but this is a huge improvement from being constantly medicated all Spring and Summer.

 

[Leahs Mom]

If you have any friends that use essential oils see if you can get a sample of Lavender from them. I have had horible allergies for most of my life but the last couple years I have been able to avoid taking meds and have just used essential oils. From time to time my eyes get terribly itchy though so I do use Zaditor eye drops once in a while, but this is a huge improvement from being constantly medicated all Spring and Summer.

Please explain for us exactly how you are using the lavendar oil.

 

[leslea]

Try Allegra. That is what my allergy specialist has me use. Good luck and hope you feel better!

I will check that out and see if it is the same ingredient as Zyrtec. If it's different, I might switch it up. Might also take a Benadryl, although I really don't want to be knocked out again.

Most petstores you can find aspen bedding in the small animal sections.

Thanks, Brad. I thought about that and decided just to go straight to sand, since I know I won't have an issue with it.

Do you have similar symptoms when you react to other allergens? I'm a lifetime sufferer, and I'm not familiar with drowsiness as a common airborne allergy symptom. Food allergies, on the other hand, often present with the things you're describing. Have you had an allergen panel lately?

Yes, in the past I have shut down for days due to airborne allergens. I did the whole shebang a few years ago, went for shots for 4 years. Overall I am so much better--I don't even take Zyrtec anymore, usually (which was still prescription-only when I started it). Since moving the brooder to the mudroom, I already feel a little better.

My oldest has food allergies and I actually used to do a podcast and blog about food allergies. I don't write about them anymore, but I try to stay in the loop. I don't have any food allergies, myself, but it sure seems like I am allergic to pine now. I don't think it was mold because they didn't even have time to get gross, and I cleaned/changed the brooder after 2 days. Just too paranoid about things getting gross, you know?

I know I was allergic to most environmental allergens, but after the shots I was so much better. Maybe the shavings were just too much for me to handle. Anyway, if I'm not better after I get them out of the house, I'll know it's not that! That's the only thing that changed in our environment this week. Living in the woods, I expected mold, but I've got the house closed up and the AC on, not much more I can do about the woods beyond that.

Oops, this didn't post so I will add a response to @alliejean ...I actually have a lot of lavender on hand because I use it in an herbal tincture I sell on etsy. I, too, would love to hear your Rx for that!

 

[ChickCrazed]

I am trying to find a cheap tractor/dog house/rabbit hutch to house my bad boys to give the girls a few months relief. So please let me know if anyone has some easy to build plans or ideas for me (or cheap small coops). While I was browsing craigslist I found a great run for sale. It is pretty cheap and is large! Just wanted to share in case anyone is in need of a run and reluctant to build one themselves!

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/for/4432043140.html

 

[alliejean]

Please explain for us exactly how you are using the lavendar oil.

@leslea I only use the certified pure theriputic grade oils on my skin or to consume ( I do use some other types of oils that are more inexpensive for cleaning the house and making spider spray for around the house). I just use a drop and rub it over my cheeks and forehead. Just make sure not to accidentally get it in your eyes because it does sting a bit. If you do happen to get some in your eye though use another oil (coconut or olive) to dilute it because water actually intensifies the burning! I do this fairly frequently throuout the day as needed. And if I am going to be out in my garden working or at my sons soccer game or something I will put a drop or two of each: lemon, lavender and peppermint essential oils in a capsule and take it. I know some people also add a drop or two in their netty pots but I have not personally tried that yet. I was so skeptical when a couple of my friends started using oils, but honestly now that I have really learned what to use them for and how to use them I could never go back to life without my oils!

 

[leslea]

@leslea I only use the certified pure theriputic grade oils on my skin or to consume ( I do use some other types of oils that are more inexpensive for cleaning the house and making spider spray for around the house). I just use a drop and rub it over my cheeks and forehead. Just make sure not to accidentally get it in your eyes because it does sting a bit. If you do happen to get some in your eye though use another oil (coconut or olive) to dilute it because water actually intensifies the burning! I do this fairly frequently throuout the day as needed. And if I am going to be out in my garden working or at my sons soccer game or something I will put a drop or two of each: lemon, lavender and peppermint essential oils in a capsule and take it. I know some people also add a drop or two in their netty pots but I have not personally tried that yet. I was so skeptical when a couple of my friends started using oils, but honestly now that I have really learned what to use them for and how to use them I could never go back to life without my oils!

Sounds worth a try! I order my oils from Mountain Rose Herbs. I will check and make sure they are certified pure...I know they are certified organic. I also have peppermint on hand. It could not hurt to try. Thanks for the tip re: diluting with other oils, too.

SO...update...I have changed out the shavings for sand, using a mask. Popped an Allegra. Crossing fingers for an improved state of mind soon.

 

[alliejean]

I use Young Living, but I have heard good things about Mountain Rose Herbs, I would think that would be fine to use on your skin