By Jennifer Roberts
We all like to think of the chicken
coop as a place to unwind and relax, but did you know that there may
be a hidden danger to you lurking in your chickens’ home?
When you open the coopdoor, egg basket
in hand, are you hit with an acrid burning of the nose, lungs and
throat? That my friend, is the signature trademark of ammonia.
Ammonia is naturally occurring in urine
and manure. Most of us know that ammonia is harmful for our chickens,
but we don’t realize that it is more than just an noxious odor for
humans… in fact it is an extreme health hazard.
According to the New York State
Department of Health, “Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia
in air causes immediate burning of the nose, throat and respiratory
tract. This can cause bronchiolar and alveolar edema, and airway
destruction resulting in respiratory distress or failure. Inhalation
of lower concentrations can cause coughing, and nose and throat
irritation.”
The irritating and corrosive smell of
the chemical is an adequate warning of its presence, but
unfortunately the chemical causes a phenomenon known as “olfactory
fatigue,” effectively reducing your awareness of the smell after
prolonged exposure. This means that the longer you spend in the barn,
the less you will smell it, and the more adverse affect it may have
on your body.
Don’t think that adults are the only
ones at risk. Be sure to check out the condition of the coop before
you drop your kids in on egg duty. “Children exposed to the same
concentrations of ammonia vapor as adults may receive a larger dose
because they have greater lung surface area-to-body weight ratios and
increased minute volumes-to-weight ratios,” reports the New York
State Department of Health. “In addition, they may be exposed to
higher concentrations than adults in the same location because of
their shorter height and the higher concentrations of ammonia vapor
initially found near the ground.”
Luckily there are ways that we can
combat this caustic chemical. In addition to frequent coop cleaning
and proper ventilation, consider the use of Koop Clean.
This
innovative chicken bedding is an all-natural, quality chicken bedding
consisting of a chopped blend of hay and straw, combined with the
unique superior odor-neutralizing ingredient, Sweet PDZ. The addition of Sweet PDZ effectively
neutralizes the ammonia and other harmful odors; this helps your
chicks and chickens (and you!) maintain their respiratory health.
Be sure to pick up a bag the next time
you visit your local Paris Farmer’s Union Store!
