wear masks

[carl]

Yes i wear my mask when cleaning and catching the birds.

[T_T]

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.

[MsPigeon]

When it comes down to not being able to keep your pigeons any longer, you will wish you had worn a mask.

[Guest]

I tend to go through phases of wearing one and then during the summer when its hot I get a red mark around my face where its been, so tend to leave it off.

[MsPigeon]

I tend to wear mine more in the summer when it is drier and dustyer. Right now we are having record rainfall in an already wet part of the country. Just cleaned and theres nothin to breath in out there.

[Pompey Mick]

I use a mask all the time in the loft especially when catching the birds as I think that is the worst time, when pigeons are flying around you. When I'm doing more extensive work I use an Aircap mask which passes a flow of filtered air over your face behind a perspex face screen. Very refreshing in summer, a bit nippy in the colder months.

The Widowhood system seems to me to be better if you are susceptible to pigeon dust as it is altogether cleaner than the natural system and most of your observations are done outside of the loft and cleaning out takes just a few minutes.

[Blue Chequer]

I have had pigeons for over 50 years and never wore a mask at all for the first 30. I then realized that almost every Friday night I was developing flu like symptoms and had difficulty breathing.  My first allergy blood test came back negative.  My condition became worse, always had a snotty nose and poor chest. Started wearing masks from ARCO (must be for fine grade of dust) they were about £25 for 10 and I was much better but they steamed up my specs.  I then lashed out and bought a Bradwest which blows filtered air over your face.  One or two members in m y club use masks but not many. We all hear the usual comics of "hes wearing a mask so he don't scare the kids" etc. but at the end of the day  it is the difference between keeping pigeons or not, without masks mine would have had to go.  My last blood test showed that I was allergic to pigeon dust.  

[rockinrick]

although masks help to prevent they dont stop pfl

[Guest CS]

I think you all should wear mask,, better safe than sorry...  

[symbro]

http://jedds.com/Products.asp?MainCategoryID=25&SubCategoryID=201

[Ronnie]

my loft is very open and lots of air flow dust never seems to be a problem.If i did have a closed loft(maybe this year) i would wear a mask.I will be building an aviary for my stock birds this week or next and it will be totally open apart from the roof ,so again no dust.But after this i will be putting youngsters on darkness so a mask may have to be used.

[Guest shadow]

no longer need one no birds left used to use one

[birdman55678]

I have raised pigeons since 1957 and only in the last 10 years or so have I ever bothered to wear a mask and only then when cleaning the lofts out.  I have known 3 others that have had to wear them whenever they enter the lofts because of pigeon lung.  Its not a good deal for them.  So I guess its always best to wear one.  The one I use has the replaceable cartridges on it and looks like the old gas masks.  Its uncomfortable to wear but beats breathing the dust.  Ed

[Guest Paulo]

wear p3 filter disposable masks normally used for asbestos when cleaning out. Don't wear if I am just mincing around the loft or basketing as no point

[westy]

i started wearing masks but never stuck to it, it gets sweaty round your mouth and it pees you off but theres not much dust in my loft i noticed  as i have my main dorrs open all day.

[THE FIFER]

an interesting site regarding pigeon-lung, is:http://www.pigeon-lung.co.uk

 

 

this is the pigeon-lung research site

[Guest stevie-b]

i have wore a air-cap mask for a few years now just bought the new one with th re-chargeable batteries built into the mask.please  dont be stuck in the dark ages and kid your self on that the dust is not affecting you. i have pigeon-lung and if i dont wear my mask i suffer from sneezing severly coughing and breathlessness ive also had ephumonia which the pigeons contributed to greatly caused by not wearing a mask i would recomend that A.L.L. fanciers wear a mask afterall its only for the good of your own health