Official BYC Poll: Do You Wear a Mask or Respirator When Cleaning Your Coop?

[RebelEgger]

We all know how much dust those birds can create, so I'm just wondering who wears some kind of respiratory protection when they are in and around the coop - and when!

Have you had any issues from not wearing a mask?

Please vote and leave a comment below!

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I don't wear anything, though I probably should. Depending on the cleaning (deep litter, monthly summer clean, dusting, etc.), I sometimes have to step out for fresh air. Spring cleanout is usually pretty rough. Adding shavings can be rough too, as it sometimes has a lot of dust.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Never have but I do own a really nice one.

 

[nuthatched]

I wear a bandana, but I'm prone to respiratory issues.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

All the toxic things I've breathed in over my life coop "trash" is the least of my worries.

 

[Folly's place]

I wear a N95 mask when handling birds, or cleaning out there. Just visiting, not usually. A friend died of Histoplasmosis, and I have asthma, so being careful is a good thing!
Mary

 

[RebelEgger]

Never have but I do own a really nice one.

I own a really nice one too that I have never used either

 

[RebelEgger]

All the toxic things I've breathed in over my life coop "trash" is the least of my worries.

Right?! I hear ya

 

[RebelEgger]

I wear a N95 mask when handling birds, or cleaning out there. Just visiting, not usually. A friend died of Histoplasmosis, and I have asthma, so being careful is a good thing!
Mary

Oh my goodness that’s awful! Sorry to hear that! Yes, something like that would certainly teach you to mask up! My husband has cystic fibrosis, I don’t even really like him being in the coop to visit the birds, let alone when I do any kind of cleaning, because I worry about him.

 

[RebelEgger]

I don't wear anything, though I probably should. Depending on the cleaning (deep litter, monthly summer clean, dusting, etc.), I sometimes have to step out for fresh air. Spring cleanout is usually pretty rough. Adding shavings can be rough too, as it sometimes has a lot of dust.

I don’t wear anything either, but keep thinking I should. I’m the same, I usually just step out for some fresh air. The worst that happens with me with the dust from shavings is my eyes get itchy.