This message is from: "McInvailles" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Jacob and listk I was noticing that we have some members from Australia and they may be able to give you some leads on breeders, if you contacted them.I will email you privately with these.
I am not a vet, but a physician assistant. Bird droppings can be a breeding ground for different bacteria and molds that can infect people, especially those whose immune system in not the greatest. These diseases (like psitticosis and coccidiomycosis)are seen in people who have caged birds in their homes, and is more likely if folks are cleaning the cage (aerosolized or ingested). It is however somewhat rare to get these diseases. I typically recommend that pregnant women, people with lung disease, elderly,immunocompromised or folks on chemotherapy get someone else to clean (Or use a mask and gloves when cleaning the cage and be sure to keep it clean if they cannot get alternative. this also applies to kitty litter). It is a problem if the stuff hangs around at the bottom of the cage. How to translate this to horses??? Clean the bird droppings when the horses are not around (this is a guess) but take care of yourselves too. There are many sources of potential infectious disease. A healty immune system should be able tohelp us out as long as we do the simple stuff, like wash our hands after chores, and be good about cleaning up the stalls on a regular basis. Swallows are great assets, both tree swallows, which nest in the bird boxes (same size as bluebird boxes) and barn swallows. after all the rain we have had this year, we would welcome a few more nests! Krissy, Grieg, Johanna, and Kaia Lancaster, New Hampshire, home of the black fly
