Anyone who owns chickens knows that keeping their coop clean is a top priority for the flock’s health, and a regular chore on top of your other poultry-related responsibilities. So, when the time comes to strap on your cleaning equipment and don the proper attire, you might be wondering if a mask should be a part of your coop cleaning getup.
Any individual cleaning a chicken coop must wear a mask for the sake of their own safety and health. The best options are a respirator mask or N95 dust mask to prevent the cleaner from inhaling hazardous fumes and particles that could cause various, potentially life-threatening, diseases.
This article will discuss why anyone cleaning a chicken coop should prioritize always wearing a mask. As you read, you’ll learn some of the dangerous diseases you can get from cleaning a coop without a mask. We’ll also provide important information regarding symptoms and treatments of these diseases, should you find yourself afflicted with them despite taking all necessary precautions.
Why Wearing a Mask is a Chicken Coop Cleaning Must!
Your chickens might look clean and healthy at first glance, but the dangers posed by their dirty coop are often those you can’t see with the human eye.
Chicken coops are filled with fumes, particles, bacteria, and viruses that can cause an extensive list of unpleasant and potentially life-threatening diseases. These diseases can be contracted either by breathing traces directly into your respiratory system or through direct contact with your mouth.
The goal of cleaning a coop is to provide your flock with a sanitary living space that will promote optimal health for every chicken, so the last thing you want to do is risk your own health and quality of life by going into this task unprepared.
It is essential to understand the many health hazards cleaning a chicken coop poses, so you can:
- Take precautions to ensure you don’t contract these diseases.
- Know the symptoms that might indicate you or someone has already contracted the disease and how best to proceed with treatment.
- Teach others the importance of wearing their masks in a chicken coop when cleaning.
To ensure you always enter a chicken coop feeling educated and prepared, let’s talk about the various potential diseases lingering in your flock’s living quarters, including a brief description of each along with their most common symptoms and potential treatment.
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Indirect Diseases in Chicken Coops (Airborne, Droplet, etc.)
Some of you might think that walking into a chicken cook covered from shoulder to toe in attire, gloves, boots, and other clothing will be enough. Unfortunately, some of the most common diseases you can contract in a dirty chicken coop can simply be breathed in, traveling throughout your respiratory system.
These indirect diseases are usually caused by breathing in the countless dust particles inside the coop or inhaling the ammonia fumes exuding from the chicken’s feces. Symptoms can be as mild as a runny nose and slightly irritated throat to more severe symptoms, like wheezing, chest pressure, and more.
The table below lists the most common indirect diseases you could experience if you decide to clean any chicken coop without facial protection.
| Disease | Description | Symptoms | Treatment |
| Ammonia sickness | Lung infection that causes the airways to fill with pus and fluids caused by high ammonia fumes exuding from chicken feces | Coughing Phlegm/mucus Shortness of breath Chest pains Fatigue Headaches Nausea or vomiting | Preventative vaccination Oral antibiotics Pain relievers Fever reducers |
| Farmer’s Lung | Allergic reaction caused by breathing in contaminated or moldy hay | Shortness of breath Dry, irritating cough Fever Chills Rapid heart rate Rapid breathing | Avoid contact with allergen Allergy medications to reduce symptoms |
| Occupational Asthma | Narrowing and swelling of airways | Coughing/wheezing Shortness of breath Chest tightness or pain | Asthma medication Quick-relief inhaler |
| Acute Bronchitis (Chest cold) | Inflammation of the bronchial tubes, increased mucus secretion, and narrowing of airways | Coughing Chest soreness Fatigue Headache Body aches Sore throat | Improves with timeRest and fluidsPain relievers |
Direct Diseases in Chicken Coops
Gloves are standard cleaning equipment all chicken coop cleaners should wear. However, even if you cover up with this and other essential pieces of clothing, you could still contract dangerous diseases in a chicken coop by touching your mouth, nose, or face directly when they are uncovered.
Most of the diseases listed below are caused by contact with chicken feces, whether that is the physical feces or particles in the air. However, a few can be caused by contaminated or moldy hay.
Regardless, these nasty afflictions listed below are just a few more reasons why you should double-check that you’re wearing a mask before entering the chicken coop.
| Disease | Description | Symptoms | Treatment |
| Salmonella (Salmonellosis) | Bacterial infection | Diarrhea (potential presence of blood) Fever Stomach cramps Nausea/vomiting | Improves with time Antibiotic medication in specific circumstances |
| Campylobacter (Campylobacteriosis) | Bacterial infection | Diarrhea Abdominal pains and cramps Fever Nausea/vomiting | Improves with time Antibiotic medication in specific circumstances |
| Histoplasmosis | Fungal infection | Fever Cough Fatigue Chills Headache Chest pain Body aches | Improves with time Antifungal medication |
| Avian Influenza | Infection from avian influenza Type A virus | Fever Cough Sore throat Abdominal pain Nausea/vomiting Diarrhea | Influenza antiviral medication |
| E. Coli | Bacterial infection | Diarrhea Stomach cramping/pain Nausea/vomiting | Improves with time Pain medication Rest and fluids |
Final Thoughts
While this daunting list of diseases might worry you enough to put off that necessary chicken coop cleaning session, they are all preventable if you cover up and clean with care. Wearing a high-quality respirator mask will help ensure your face is sealed off and you breath clean air while sanitizing the area.
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However, a mask alone isn’t enough. Next time you go to clean your chicken coop, make sure you’re pairing your respirator mask with thick gloves, a high pair of coop boots, and safety goggles. It is also advised for the cleaner to wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants for maximum coverage and minimal contact with potentially hazardous chicken coop objects to keep themselves healthy and safe.