The battle of chicken dust

[crtrlovr]

most of the dust is going to come from the sheaths over the feathers. If you'll take a good look at the pin feathers, you'll see a waxy sheath around each one. As the feather grows, this sheath breaks down into a fine powder and is easily airborne (as anyone w/ chicks in the house can attest!). They'll still be dusty after they're completely feathered out, (but not quite as badly) because feathers are constantly growing & being replaced. It is what it is...

*spoken by the woman whose houseful of cockatiels gives her indoor surfaces "texture"*...

 

[Lee]

Quote:

I got a good chuckle from that.

 

[RockyToggRanch]

I find it hits around 3-4 weeks and lasts until I kick them out at about 6 weeks. It covers the walls and every surface. And makes cob webs show up everywhere.

Birdbrain, you should cover your wife's craft stuff! quick.

 

[NancyDz]

Yes it happens with only a few chicks. My spare bedroom with only 6 chicks was covered in dust and then when I only had 2 chicks in a box in my spare bathroom... that was covered too. For those who havent seen it yet... it's only a matter of time. I like the filter idea... I'll have to try that next time.



Nancy

 

[tdgill]

runs to find filters downstairs....

 

[shelleyb1969]

I think that how fast the dust takes over correlates with how many chicks you have. It'll take longer to notice dust from 2-3 chicks versus the daily dust storm created by 6+ chicks.

But regardless, the dust will come...just wait.

 

[dreamer5577]

I wanted to bring this old post back to life because I've had several folks tell me that chicken dust is deadly. I take precautions when I clean out the main coop because I wouldn't want to breathe that in deadly or not. But for the little ones? Is their dust deadly? I just find it hard to believe. I've raised several little groups and of course their dust drove me crazy, but never had any health problems. I keep them in the living room, but now I'm having doubts. So in short... is chick dust deadly?

 

[rc4u]

put them in the garage with a lamp as the house is NO place for chicks..jeff

 

[donrae]

I wanted to bring this old post back to life because I've had several folks tell me that chicken dust is deadly. I take precautions when I clean out the main coop because I wouldn't want to breathe that in deadly or not. But for the little ones? Is their dust deadly? I just find it hard to believe. I've raised several little groups and of course their dust drove me crazy, but never had any health problems. I keep them in the living room, but now I'm having doubts. So in short... is chick dust deadly?

I don't think it's deadly, per se, but I can't imagine it's healthy at all. If you're perfectly healthy with a strong immune system and you don't mind breathing all that stuff in, go for it. Just keep in mind, all that dust you clean off surfaces where the chicks are is also in your lungs. If you have anyone in the household that is immune compromised, asthmatic, kids with frequent ear infections, COPDers or any other respiratory issues I wouldn't keep chicks in the house.

 

[Gracedby3]

Well crap now I have to rethink my plan. I am purchasing a dog kennel today. I was going to move the babies to my daughters room. They have been living in a Rubbermaid bin in the guest bathroom tub. I wanted to keep them inside so when they go out the dogs would be use to them and not want to kill them. We have one duck and 2 chicks. One chick is super super tiny so not sure if in the long run it will make it.
So you guys think the dust will still be a problem with so few? I have been using puppy pads on the bottom of the home.