New with a very odd question

[gigi310]

Hello all! We just purchased an historic house in NH, and were told that the attic above the "garage" was a biohazard as it was originally used as a chicken coop. Is this true? I could find no info when Google searching. The garage does have an animal smell, but when I peeked into the attic, I could see no evidence that chickens were kept up there. There was some ancient farm equipment, though. Are chickens kept in attics? Do you think this story is true? Is it dangerous to breathe abandoned coop air? No chickens for us, yet. They are arriving in the spring. Thanks for your input!

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Who told you the chicken coop is a biohazard? Only huge intensive factory farm settings can be harmful to the environment, and then only some, usually dairy/beef farms. I think maybe someone just doesn't want you to keep chickens

Don't let that put you off. Sell your ancient farm equipment and buy yourself some nice birds!

 

[Kevin565]

. X2 on sumi's post

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us. x3

 

[redsoxs]

Hello from Kansas, gigi310, and

! Sounds kinda like an off the cuff comment about it being a bio-hazard. I don't think you have much to worry about in terms of safety. Best of luck to you.

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

If it were infested with bats that would definately be a biohazard. Chickens, not so much.

 

[Matilda hen]

YES WELCOME TO BYC FROM IRELAND!

heres some chooks ready to welcome you

 

[gigi310]

Thank you for all the lovely welcome messages (and the great photo!) A former owner from the 1970s told us the biohazard story. I know that you can get a nasty respiratory disease from breathing in pigeon droppings, I wasn't sure about chickens. Many years ago, I did read something about old chicken coops harboring diseases, but I can't remember what they were. Since all of you are alive and well, that is a good omen. Thanks again!

 

[theoldchick]

There is a condition that used to be called, "Bird Keeper Lungs" which is mostly like a catch all phrase for the various fungal lung infections some people get. Any dried out fecal matter is a health hazard to the very young, the very old, and those with compromised immune systems.

Have the house tested and do what you need to keep your lungs healthy. All old houses have a history of some sort, and some times their unique design was not conducive to human health. They lacked proper ventilation, proper sewage, used building materials no longer allowed today.

Congratulations on your new home, and please share photos!

 

[gigi310]

Ahhhh... Thank you for the lead. The chicken coop disease is now called histoplasmosis. Ninety percent of people seem to be asymptomatic, and very few of the remaining ten percent seem to have frightening medical outcomes, but we will probably look into abatement, as my husband spends a lot of time in the garage.