Humans catching diseases from chicken poo?

[Little Chicky]

A friend told me that chicken poo, when sitting for a few days in the coop, will gather spores that can inflict a serious lung disease on whoever breathes them in. Is there any truth in this? If so, what is it called and how can it be prevented?

Thanks!

 

[cassie]

If it was I'd be dead. Plus I have friend that works for a commercial manure spreading business. They remove manure and haul it with large agricultural machinery like big scoop loaders and spreader trucks. A lot of dust gets churned up in the process. My friend has worked for this company for many years. He is healthy and so are his co workers. Some people are just alarmists. Quit worrying yourself and buy your friend some worry beads.

 

[luvchicks8]

I agree i would be dead by now.

 

[key west chick]

40 or so years ago my MIL's father passed away from a lung disease. He raised chickens and the doctors told them he caught it from years of inhaling dried chicken poo. I'm not sure if it was some sort of lung cancer or what but whatever it was , killed him not long after being diagnosed.

 

[NotTheMomma]

Actually, that's true. Several members here have gotten it, but gosh, I'm having a 'fibro-fog' week, and can't remember the name of it.

Whenever cleaning out the coop, make sure you wear a mask. There's even a special code on the mask to make sure it's filtering out the smallest stuff, and darn if I can remember that either.

Sorry, so much for trying to help ya hun! Hopefully someone that can actually remember stuff comes along and posts!

 

[lavandula girl]

I think you can get histoplasmosis from inhaled chicken poo.

 

[NotTheMomma]

Quote:
You are sooo smart!! That's the word I couldn't remember!! Huggles!

 

[Renee]

It is not common for people to get sick from cleaning their coops, but it is possible.

You should always avoid breathing in any kind of particulate matter, including dried poop. In other words, use the same common sense you use when you are sanding wood or cleaning an old attic. If you stir up dust when you clean your coop, wear a mask.

 

[chickenannie]

The chances must be very slim or there'd be a lot more people in the world with histoplasmosis, right? Actually I heard you can get it from Bat poo too (guano).

 

[journey11]

Good to know. I always wear a mask b/c it's a LOT of dust. I will get a better quality mask next time.