Does African greys cause worse problems for breathing.

I have just got an African Grey parrot. Could this affect me and my breathing, cause coughs ect...

[stone-UK]

Hi

some reading.

african-grey-parrot.com

[Hidden in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you.

[2greys]

A couple of hepa filters and their own room, not a problem with me and I have two of them, I've had them for 35 years and part of the family. As long as you are not asthmatic/alergic and use a mask when you clean them out. African greys will love a shower from a spray bottle so a quick couple of squirts before interacting with them you should be fine. Be advised though that owning a grey is going to be a big commitment. they can easily live for 60 years, are extremely intelligent and need mental stimulation. They are also a "flock bird", hence why I have pair, so loneliness is not an issue, they will also assume a human family as part of their flock. Please look after your remarkable animal properly and I can think of no better place to find out all you need to know than here, they have a friendly forum like this one for all your questions:

africangreyparrotcentre.co.uk

[Hidden]

Oh they have gone

[Hidden]

Is it in the same room you sit all or most of the time if no then no if yes then sorry best think is to move it to a nother part of your houes or give it to someone who will look after it as they are not a cheap bird to keep

[Helen6]

Hi there, a friend of mine had a bad cough and chest infection after chest infection until the doctor suggested it could be her parrot causing it. As soon as she got rid of it, she returned to full health. This is not always the case as for some allergic/sensitive people it an cause permanent damage. So if in doubt, my advice would be don't risk it. If this parrot is new and you're not yet attached to it, don't take the risk. I guess that you're asking the question as you've already noticed the coughing!

Best Wishes,

Helen

[stone-UK]

Hi

It's pointless making any further replies to this post as the account as been closed.

[Timner4]

Yes it's the reason I had to pack in keeping parrots African Grey's give off feather dust that can make your breathing worse also there poop when it drys can give off particals that can cause asthma better to not keep birds by the way this was my experience don't know if the same will happen to you

[Billybob10]

It's quite possible.I had a long career as a guitar/vocalist but,after living for a few years with an african grey in my living room,flying loose etc.,I was diagnosed with IPF,a bad lung fibrosis.My breathing was badly affected and I had to 'retire'.IPF has various causes.Can't be sure this is what caused mine but I'd check it out,if I were you.Good luck.

[Tryfan]

Good morning

Look up psittacosis.

Best wishes

[Hidden]

YES it may well effect your condition. Years ago, before I had COPD, I became a chronic asthmatic. My condition got worse until I went on holiday/vacation to Lanzarrote. There, the symptoms disappeared completely. Just before the first attck, I had taken over a little cockateil that was more like a dog. It literally spent many hours with me sat on my shoulder or lap during the evenings. Whilst I was in Lanzarote for the two week, my parents were looking after Florence (the cockateil). On return to the UK, I discovered my dad had developed severe asthma. I let Florence go to a friend who kept birds and . . our condistion immediate disappeared for good. It turned out that my dad and I had an allergic reaction to bird mites (or specifically bird mite droppings).

[joyce741]

i used to keep birds in aviaries in the garden budgies cockatiels and softbills in the house I had an African grey and 2 orange wing amazons all had to go when i go COPD due to the dust they created now i just have feeds in the garden and watch the birds outside.

[Tatters]

The problems that birds cause in close proximity is the bloom on their feathers, this a water-proof agent to keep them dry from rain. I keep racing pigeons and these can cause problems to some fanciers, not all, it's not a disease but an allergy. I have been treated for over 20 years for fanciers lung but looking back the consultant jumped to conclusions without laboratory tests, I have paid out several thousand pounds as I was private. I had blood tests 3 years ago and my reaction to pigeons was almost nil. I seem to have wandered on to my problems and not yours, I wouldn't recommend keeping cage birds in the house if you have chest problems and from what I hear Parrots are the worse. Sorry to bring you this sad news. I do hope that you can sort the problem out. Best wishes.