Is anyone else allergic to their chicks?

[TinyLittleFarm]

We are a family with plenty of allergies-hay fever, dogs, cats, etc. I wasn't sure if the chicks would bother me or the kids. Turns out they do. Not sure if it is just the dust or the actual chicks. It's nothing horrible--just some twitching and sneezing and we don't care if we all need to wear gas masks when we go into the coop--chicks aren't going anywhere! I imagine the fact that they are living in the house with us is making it worse.

I was just wondering if you can actually be allergic to chickens? And if you are, does it seem to be the dust/poop/other byproducts or the chickens themselves?

I know we are not allowed to ask questions without posting pics

, so here are my little muffins on their very first adventure outside yesterday!

 

[crazyforfeatheredfriends]

Hi! Welcome to BYC and your chicks are adorable!! My chicks bothered me as well, I have hay fever and cat allergies

It was their dust and it was worst when they were in our home. Once they got outside full time, I have been fine. I'm able to handle them and care for them without any issues. Hope the same is true for you as well!

Best Wishes!

 

[HickoryGuy]

I'm allergic to most animals. Cats & horses are the worst. Dogs only bother me slightly... have 3 in the house and I do fine. Luckily my chicks don't bother me... at least not yet.

 

[Uzuri]

Most pet allergies are due to hypersensitivity to proteins found in dander, hair, and spit. Chickens got 'em, too, so there's no reason why you can't be allergic to them!

You're probably right, though -- once they're outside, things will improve dramatically. When you clean wear a dust mask* and you should be fine.

*all of us, allergies or not, should be doing this anyway.

 

[Mag16]

According to my allergy testing a couple of years ago,I am allergic to cows, dogs, cats, feathers, horses as well as most tree and flower pollens. I have all of the animals listed including my 2 indoor cats that sleep with me every night. I just take extra allergy meds and I can usually control my reactions. Although, this past weekend I decided to move my babies (due to my allergies and the smell) outside to the big coop which required some rearranging and cleaning. I am still paying for that decision!

 

[BriteChicken]

Quote:
I have a great dane that sleeps with me and I just take extra meds I know the dust from chickies is going to kill me but there's no stoping me Lol! So a few weeks of extra allergy meds won't kill me I'm allergic to everything seriously even cockroaches!! Good luck! and I second the wearing of masks while cleaning have to do it when I mow too.