Dusty or Not?

[Rue]

Originally Posted by Jodi

I thought the powder birds had a gland the produced the dust?????

No, glands produce oily or fatty substances, they can't really produce anything dry.

[The Outlaw]

Actually, the feathers don't desinigrate, the keratin coating comes off. However, I have a BG here that has some feather problem going on and she produces copious amount of keratin dust.

I think when we acquire the powdery birds, we forget the impact it has on EVERY family member. I can't tell you how many grandmothers who have birds forever have had to rehome their much-loved pets when allergic or asthmatic grandchildren come along. I worry all winter when Lily comes to visit, for if she spends the night, she inevitably winds up congested, no matter how often I clean. I vacuum twice a day on average with a Dyson. I dust daily with Swiffer products, I clean my furnace and AC filters every month but STILL this stuff accumulates. And, I run two air cleaners constantly.