Neighbor Claims my chickens have given her husband Histoplasmosis

[SandyRiverChick]

Ya'll this thread is 5 years old and you probably won't hear from the OP. BUT It's an interesting subject so if you want to start a new thread on histoplasmosis, that'd be interesting, informative reading IMO.....

 

[Sumac1092]

Hi All,

I am seeking advice. I have my very first flock, they were moved outside about 3 weeks ago. They are 12 weeks now, or so.

Today my backyard neighbor, who I have never in my life spoken to came to our door with print outs from the Mayo clinic explaining Histoplasmosis. She claims our chickens have made her husband sick and is asking for us to move or remove our chickens.

Before speaking to us, she went to all of the neighbors to tell them about our chickens and the risk they pose to everyone. So that made me really happy.

Research tells me this is bologna, that although possible to contract this from chickens, it's in high volumes. I have 5 chickens that free roam the yard during the day and are in the coop at night. I have cleaned the coop every week as well.

My city ordinance allows us to have chickens, so she has no recourse there. But I have literally no idea how to handle this. I can move the coop, I dont want to, but I can but I'm not moving it to the front yard as she has asked.

Any advice from anyone who may have delt with something similar? I can easily tell her to pound salt but I want to be sensitive to her as she is my neighbor, and probably for years to come.

 

[Sumac1092]

Hi All,

I am seeking advice. I have my very first flock, they were moved outside about 3 weeks ago. They are 12 weeks now, or so.

Today my backyard neighbor, who I have never in my life spoken to came to our door with print outs from the Mayo clinic explaining Histoplasmosis. She claims our chickens have made her husband sick and is asking for us to move or remove our chickens.

Before speaking to us, she went to all of the neighbors to tell them about our chickens and the risk they pose to everyone. So that made me really happy.

Research tells me this is bologna, that although possible to contract this from chickens, it's in high volumes. I have 5 chickens that free roam the yard during the day and are in the coop at night. I have cleaned the coop every week as well.

My city ordinance allows us to have chickens, so she has no recourse there. But I have literally no idea how to handle this. I can move the coop, I dont want to, but I can but I'm not moving it to the front yard as she has asked.

Any advice from anyone who may have delt with something similar? I can easily tell her to pound salt but I want to be sensitive to her as she is my neighbor, and probably for years to come.

 

[Sumac1092]

I'm late to the question about Histoplasmosis. Yes, chicken farmers are high risk, because it grows in chicken feces. Bats carry it and shed it in their feces. Indianapolis/Indiana is an area that has a lot of it.

Sorry, but your neighbor is correct. And I oughtta know, because i had histoplasmosis. And so did multiple people I know who had chickens.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm late to the question about Histoplasmosis. Yes, chicken farmers are high risk, because it grows in chicken feces. Bats carry it and shed it in their feces. Indianapolis/Indiana is an area that has a lot of it.

Sorry, but your neighbor is correct. And I oughtta know, because i had histoplasmosis. And so did multiple people I know who had chickens.

Welcome To BYC

This thread is almost 6yrs old and the Original Poster (OP) has not been on in 5yrs, so may not see your response.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

[Eggcessive]

Most people who own chickens and actually take care of them in their coops, stirring and shoveling bedding/droppings often do not get histoplasmosis. A person who is immune compromised could get it if they were digging through droppings of poultry or bats.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

I'm late to the question about Histoplasmosis. Yes, chicken farmers are high risk, because it grows in chicken feces. Bats carry it and shed it in their feces. Indianapolis/Indiana is an area that has a lot of it.

Sorry, but your neighbor is correct. And I oughtta know, because i had histoplasmosis. And so did multiple people I know who had chickens.

Welcome to BYC!
Thanks for sharing, but the original poster hasn’t been seen in a while.