Henergy Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Just a quick question - like lots of people I have numerous chicken books and they all seem to have different ideas on things ! I think I'm pretty clear on my cleaning routine - each morning I 'poo pick' in the nest box & roosting area and top up the bedding. Each weekend I'm going to do a proper bedding empty etc. My question might sound bit silly, but I am worried if I should allow the kids to help. One book advises gloves, overalls & face masks !!! Is this necessary ? Its made me feel a bit wary - yes obviously poo = handwashing, but do we need more precautions than that ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Face masks? I had about 6 little girls(aged 6-10) helping me clean the coops and cuddle the hens last summer. They're still alive. The kids will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 My daughter helps and she is just fine, the only precaution is to wear her old anorak, wellies and a pair of over sized rubber gloves ( and obviously handwashing with anti- bacterial soap afterwards). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 I wear wellies - simply because of the presents the girls leave. I wash 'em off afterwards - simply because they get covered in hemcore. I use a glove because I don't want to pick up poo with my hands and then I wash my hands afterwards. Unless you industrially farm poultry and go into sheds, a mask really is overkill. But I have seen farmers wearing them with lots of chickens.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 I always wear wellies when i go outside in the garden, too many poos! At the moment, I wear gloves when I clean them out as it is cold (especially the water!), but in the summer I don't. There is usually an 'uuuggghhhhh' emitting from my mouth after i get some poo on my hands . I don't poo pick though, I just completely change everything :L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Err if its anything like when my boys help (I know girls are a different species all together though) then you will need full wet weather gear.... they'll be fine, but when the hose pipe comes out to do a full clear out, its always me that gets a good soaking!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 I don't see any problem with children helping. A good handwash and perhaps the use of one of those spray antibac handwash jobs would be good. The only concern I would have is if a child is asthmatic with the inevitable dust particles from feathers and bedding. Even then you could use a face mask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneyolktoanother Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 i don't think it would do the kids anyharm, wish i could get my niece to help when she comes over shes too scared of the poop, mind you she is a lttle terror one time she spotted the mixed corn in the house took a load out when her mother was'nt watching her and threw it every where needless to say the chooks were very happy but it was way too much had to gather up most of it took ages, i was'nt very impressed at the time but what did get me mad was that her mother (my sister) said it wont' harm the chickens at all let them eat it all up don't waste it she's dne you a favour not thinking of hen who has had impacted crop problems, on well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eve Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 i let my 3 yr old help clean them out check for eggs. he even picks the hens up he loves it. the hens love him as soon as he goes out to play they are at the gate waiting for him.he wears wellies and his playing out cloths.i only clean them out once a fortnight. i change everything i dont poo pick should i?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Whats the mask for - its not like you are operating - OTT me thinks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 It's against the dust (dander, bedding, powders etc), which as someone with asthma I can understand. I've also read about some chicken keepers having to give up with breathing difficulties after a life time of chicken keeping. It is a bit extreme, but it can happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 Thanks everyone. I was starting to get a bit panicky when I read my books & wondered what I'd taken on !!! H&S going completely mad probably ! Anyway, trying to keep my 3 yr old away from poo will be an impossible task. Yesterday we sat in the netted area to get to know them a bit more and he managed to sit in a poo pile & then put his hand in a pile & then pick some up because he thought it was a spare raisin to feed to them !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygerna Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 Let them help. It will help their natural immune system develop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
