Seven dead hens within 4 hours, not attacked. UPDATE: Teflon Poisoning!

[Wyorp Rock]

Slightly off topic (maybe). We all have hear about the "canary in the coal mine" Miners used canaries to warn them of dangerous toxins/low oxygen in mine - bird up and dies, you get out of there.

So.....If it's known (Google Teflon poisoning or toxicity in birds) that Teflon emits toxic fumes that will quickly kill birds (not just heat lamps, but cooking with Teflon coated pots/pans in the kitchen - think brooding chicks in the house) then why in the world are we even using these products. If the fumes will kill a chicken (or birds) that's enough for me to never use something like this, just for my own health. (I don't think I've ever owned any Teflon - I use cast iron and stainless steel)

Done with my rant now

In case those that joined this thread afterward - see the reference that @casportpony made - interesting read https://books.google.com/books?id=LKY_CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA594&lpg=PA594&dq=avian+medicine+ptfe&source=bl&ots=CaFSUoxkiY&sig=BsEyywoDsnIt-So7kHD696FHnj0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjoys30zMPYAhVnllQKHVEUCRwQ6AEIMDAE#v=onepage&q=avian medicine ptfe&f=false

More google stuff - there is a lot of information out there if we start looking.
https://www.chemours.com/Teflon/en_US/products/safety/cookware_safety.html
(((To date, cooks in more than forty countries around the world have purchased over two billion pots and pans with Teflon™ brand nonstick coatings for home and commercial use. In all of this experience, there has been no record of any significant human health problems.

Bird owners should be aware that there are potential dangers in the kitchen. Cooking fumes, smoke and odors that have little or no effect on people can seriously sicken and even kill some pet birds, often quite quickly. Also cooking fumes from any type of unattended or overheated cookware, not just nonstick, can damage a bird's lungs with alarming speed. Dr. Karen Rosenthal, DVM)))
****Note the words "significant" and "little or no effect" wording means everything.
http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/teflon4.htm
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/teflon-warnings

 

[lazy gardener]

To be clear most heat lamps, as much as they require so much more caution than they are usually given, aren't Teflon coated.

I am not sure I agree with that statement. Knowing that teflon is an issue and that it's on "shatter resistant" bulbs, it required a lot of sleuthing when trying to buy a safe bulb. Knowing this danger, I have been ultra vigilant when buying a heat lamp in the past, and it required a LOT of digging to tease out what bulb might be safe, and what bulb might not be safe.

My question is this: KNOWING that teflon outgasses and is toxic, LETHAL to small animals, why is it ever allowed on any heat lamp bulbs in the first place? It would make sense to me to outlaw it's use in heat lamps, or in any bulb which produces heat. No matter what use the bulb is intended for. Period.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Maybe I'm wrong. In fact I'm likely wrong in that I haven't actually ever diverged from buying lamps specifically intended for poultry or pets, with the label specifying birds. Maybe there are many sources of toxic bulbs.

I agree completely about humans using this stuff. I don't care at all what studies don't exist. That doesn't mean it isn't happening. DuPont created Teflon I believe. Deep deep pockets. I think I read an article years ago about cancer rates being elevated near those plants. I was done with that stuff years ago.

 

[AaronandAlice]

@AaronandAlice, I wish you didn't live so far away, I would love to give you a couple of pullets to help rebuild your flock. Maybe if you post on your state thread that your looking for replacement pullets or hens. I know spring is coming soon, but then it takes time to raise the chicks. I hate to see your rooster have to wait so long for a new flock. Best wishes for you & your family!

Thank you- he's going to be crowing a lot. On my way now to get penicillin for the one- hoping she pulls through still.

 

[casportpony]

but only if she's taking it willingly. I'd never force liquid into a sick animal for fear of aspiration. Perhaps some SC bolus of normal saline.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think that as long as the class is clear, and it doesn't say "shatterproof" that it's okay to use. Tractor Supply, Home Depot, Lowes, and Walmart sell ones that are not "labeled" for poultry and those worked fine for me.

 

[BantyChooks]

Maybe I'm wrong. In fact I'm likely wrong in that I haven't actually ever diverged from buying lamps specifically intended for poultry or pets, with the label specifying birds. Maybe there are many sources of toxic bulbs.

I agree completely about humans using this stuff. I don't care at all what studies don't exist. That doesn't mean it isn't happening. DuPont created Teflon I believe. Deep deep pockets. I think I read an article years ago about cancer rates being elevated near those plants. I was done with that stuff years ago.

Did DuPont change their name to Chemours, or did they sell the rights to Teflon to them? I'm trying to find out which one currently has it as a trademark but I am confused.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Teflon is a registered trademark of the Chemours company (formerly DuPont) which it uses for its range of fluoropolymers, the best known of which is polytetrafluoroethylene.

Wikipedia

 

[AaronandAlice]

Maybe I'm wrong. In fact I'm likely wrong in that I haven't actually ever diverged from buying lamps specifically intended for poultry or pets, with the label specifying birds. Maybe there are many sources of toxic bulbs.

I agree completely about humans using this stuff. I don't care at all what studies don't exist. That doesn't mean it isn't happening. DuPont created Teflon I believe. Deep deep pockets. I think I read an article years ago about cancer rates being elevated near those plants. I was done with that stuff years ago.

This really was a freak incident here: their normal bulb had broken and since it was going to be so cold last night we grabbed what we had on hand until another red bulb could be purchased. Never once did it cross my mind that a light bulb could kill chickens (unless it shattered on the floor and they ate broken glass). Lesson learned the hard way.

 

[BantyChooks]

Teflon is a registered trademark of the Chemours company (formerly DuPont) which it uses for its range of fluoropolymers, the best known of which is polytetrafluoroethylene.

Wikipedia

 

[DwayneNLiz]

Yes, the good news for most is that it's a commercial product so wouldn't be sold in a regular store. What makes me feel exceedingly stupid is that there was a warning on the box that I never even looked at.

you were in a pinch

View attachment 1228190 View attachment 1228191

shes very pretty!

Not sure what breathing teflon fumes does?
Does it physically damage the lung tissue or is it purely a toxicity issue?
If toxicity, what organs does it damage...liver, brain,..?

The respiratory system of birds is designed for maximum efficiency, consisting of a unidirectional airflow that increases the concentration of gases contained within inhaled air. Thus, when birds inhale the PTFE fumes it actually increases the concentration of the toxic gasses. The poisonous gases released by the product damage the capillary endothelial cells, allowing fluid and blood to leak into the airways. This causes a decrease in oxygen supply in the body, leading to suffocation and death.

See more at: http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/ptfe-toxicosis

Thank you. I plan to post again when we get more chicks in the spring so we can have our coop just right for next year. The way 2018 has started- I think I'll start my new year on the first day of spring! Winter is not my friend under ordinary circumstances- this year I hate it the most!

what part of Maine are you in? I am in central NH so not too far from Maine if you would like some birds or eggs or hatching services

Tagging @superchemicalgirl . She has an extensive pharmaceutical background. Perhaps she'd chime in with recommendations. My thoughts have leaned toward prednisone, and possibly albuteral. sugar water for sure. But only if she's taking it willingly. I'd never force liquid into a sick animal for fear of aspiration. Perhaps some SC bolus of normal saline.

could tube her if shes not drinking/eating on her own

Bird owners should be aware that there are potential dangers in the kitchen.

agreed! years ago a friend of mine killed her parrot using non-stick cooking pans