Another Hygiene / Dirty Pigeon Question

Stu3y · January 4, 2015

me and my wife have had a baby as well as moving house (been a busy few months!) our daughter is now 5 months old. some 1 who speaks to my wife and her parents (apparently used to keep pigeons) is telling the mrs that its a bad idea starting back up with the pigeons with a baby around, i said its fine but they insist even washing hands after been with the pigeons is dangerous and that i should think twice before getting them back! this is making the wife question things and putting her off the idea!!

is he right in what hes saying or is it aload of rubbish?

ive only had pigeons for about 6 months but in that time i had them i had no problems, kept them clean daily etc didnt think anything of them been "dirty" to be honest..

January 4, 2015

me and my wife have had a baby as well as moving house (been a busy few months!) our daughter is now 5 months old. some 1 who speaks to my wife and her parents (apparently used to keep pigeons) is telling the mrs that its a bad idea starting back up with the pigeons with a baby around, i said its fine but they insist even washing hands after been with the pigeons is dangerous and that i should think twice before getting them back! this is making the wife question things and putting her off the idea!!

is he right in what hes saying or is it aload of rubbish?
ive only had pigeons for about 6 months but in that time i had them i had no problems, kept them clean daily etc didnt think anything of them been "dirty" to be honest..

what a load of bowloxx more chance of problems of dugs or cat sh** n p*ss , my 4 crawled aboot pigeon loft and gardens since they were babies and never had no problem

tiger · January 4, 2015

what a load of bowloxx more chance of problems of dugs or cat sh** n p*ss , my 4 crawled aboot pigeon loft and gardens since they were babies and never had no problem

:emoticon-0137-clapping:

Tony C · January 4, 2015

Being kept in a sterile environment is more harmful to kids than letting them mix it with nature.

Wiley · January 4, 2015

Myself, and my son have been in pigeons lofts since we both can walk. Done neither of us any harm although I do make him wear a mask.

hawked again · January 4, 2015

My Grandson is nearly three months old and I've cuddled him nearly every day since he was 12 hours old. I always get washed first and take off my loft coat. He's come to no harm. Someone posted above about the harm of a sterile environment, they are quite right, all these new hand sterilisers are helping bu@@er our immune systems.

GET YERSEL SOME DOOS!!!

THE FIFER · January 4, 2015

my grandson was brought up in my pigeon loft since he was crawling is now 19 not into them know though,

Leroy · January 4, 2015

I think there's two issues. The first is bloom from the feathers which can harm the lungs. As long as the child only has minimal contact then this shouldn't be a problem.

The second is dirt and the droppings. Short of eating handfuls of excrement the BEST thing a child can do is get dirty and make contact with germs and bacteria. In modern life there are more allergies and skin conditions as a results of being kept too clean than ever before. As with everything in life...moderation and common sense are the key to success.

Congrats on the baby and house move. Your mrs is more likely to take this advice from your GP rather than other pigeon men, so maybe ask the GP when the baby goes for her jabs or routine check up.

All the best

Lee

William Reid · January 4, 2015

. :emoticon-0127-lipssealed:

January 5, 2015

I think thats the last thing a new mum needs to hear from folk that obviously don't have a scoobie. I don't know of anyone who wouldn't practice basic hygiene around a new baby, and washing your hands after any dirty task - including changing the nappies - is plain common sense. So what are they saying, no need to wash ever, because you'll still pass it on?

just ask me · January 5, 2015

tell the other side to mind there own bizz best decision i ever made

walterboswell59 · January 5, 2015

son daughter 6 grandchildren all in and out the loft since babies never any problems think someone been watching the flying rat programs on telly that did pigeon sport a lot of harm imo baby will be fine stu

cheltenhamfancier · February 13, 2015

Sounds like a balancing act, keeping the missus happy, and enjoying your hobby, and although Ive no pigeons of my own can only offer some advice from medical background, paratyhoid is the only zoonotic disease of pigeons that is really a threat, albeit a very low one, It is now well established that children within the first year of life lay down the foundation of their immune systems ability to respond to challenges, exposure to micro organisms via pets/ dogs cats pigeons etc, only bolster this immunity. Toxoplasma as transmitted via cats is only a problem if the pregnant lady has not been exposed to the parasite previously, which almost everyone of us has. So in short, if washing the hands allows follow your hobby, then so be it, happy wife = happy life,

Valiant Fifer · February 13, 2015

As far as racing pigeons go I would say pigeons have to come into contact with bacteria even as ybs. Don't think u need to scrub and bleach drinkers every day as some do.

Probably should be able to right ur name in the bottom of the bowl. If there's a little green algae in the bottom I wouldn't worry about it too much. The algae will be giving of healthy bacteria just like it does in the sea and rivers all over the world.

Ybs are in inquisitive and will usually pick about in everything despite our best efforts to stop them. Pigeons have been seen eating some of their own dry droppings, and its said they are looking for something. Probably vitamins, probiotics etc its said to be as good as they can get and does them no real harm. wild birds also do this as do pet budges, cannaries etc.