Chooks affecting my asthma?

[Anonymous]

Hey people - just a bit of a long shot. Since moving here in May we have upped our hen count from 3 or 4 - (cant remember) to 20+. Whether its a coincidence, whether its not asthma at all, whether who knows what - but has anyone expereienced or been aware of anyone suffering badly with chesty problems as a result of hens. Our birds stay out in a stone house overnight - but have free run of the extensive grounds during daylight. Just a thought - but something's certainly playing up lung function and I don't like it. Could be a million other things causing the problem - but would be interesting to hear any comments. Thank you in anticipation. N

 

[podstable]

Skin/feather dander could do , so could bedding etc straw, shavings, hay etc. Have you tried wearing an effective mask EVERY time you clean out, pick up, feed etc-better still let someone else do it and see if the problem resolves???-only a couple of ideas! Good luck-Ros

 

[Anne W]

At the beginning of this year I was diagnosed with asthma - not the normal type - Oh no - that would have been too simple. I have a small farm with many, many animals that are pets so I get very close to them and my doctor feels that it is probably due to them or, as I have wondered for a while dusty hay. Most hay has been dusty the last couple of years due to wet summers and late cutting.

It's a difficult one as I am not about to get rid of my animals but you could try using your peak flow meter 10 mins before contact with your birds and ten mins after - that will give you an indication if you are being affected by them

 

[Tim]

One of the questions I was asked when I had a health check at work for 'Occupational Asthma' was whether I kept poultry...

May be worth having a look at the HSE website as they probably have guidance for people working with poultry on the type of protection you could wear.

I actually wear a mask when I'm cleaning a house out because of the huge amount of dust it creates when scraping out.