Teflon and Chicks? Fast Responses Needed, Please!

[ranchhand]

I have seen posts in the past regarding cooking with Teflon and the possibility that it can be toxic to chicks in the area, due to fumes emitted during the cooking process.

I have a 3 week old BBS Ameraucana pullet who is wilting for the second time this week, because the bigger chicks are stomping her. She is isolated currently, and has been getting Poly-Vi-Sol with water today. She is now possibly aware enough to eat. I scrambled an egg, but realized I did it in a Teflon pan. Anyone see a problem with this or am I okay?

Thanks in advance, Sal.

 

[vyshtia]

The problem is mostly seen in brand new teflon pans that get superheated. Meaning, there is nothing in the pan and you are preheating it and it gets so hot that fumes start coming off of it. Don't over-preheat a teflon pan.

If you are just scrambling an egg and the egg didn't burn, you are fine. If it's an older pan, you're even more fine. If the birds were not in the same room as you while you are cooking - you are golden. The fumes dissipate quickly. Birds die from breathing in the fumes - they are usually in the same room - because a bird's respiratory system is many times more efficient than ours/mammals - so they're body absorbs more of the toxic fumes than we do.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I use teflon pans all the time to scramble the eggs for the outside birds. Your fine.

 

[ranchhand]

Thanks ya'll, I was being a bit paranoid about this little one. I'm a big believer in natural selection, but didn't want to be the one doing the selecting!

Kitchen is at the opposite end of the house, I never burn eggs or pans so.... I am golden!

Thanks!

 

[LilBizzy]

vyshtia is correct- there is only a concern if you burn or super-heat a teflon pan , and the birds are in the same room and there isn't ventilation. I have parrots- not far from the kitchen, and hubby uses teflon all the time. I wouldn't worry