@maryjanechilds The definition of MAC is mycobacterium AVIUM complex. Avium means birds. The good news I think for you is if I remember correctly when I was first diagnosed the doctors were more concerned about chickens, chicken coops, pigeons and the like. I think it’s that type of constant interaction where a person would be more likely to get MAC than from a bird feeder. Please don’t give up that beautiful part of your life. Bird feeders are lovely. Maybe wear a mask when changing the bird feeders would be a suggestion. I interacted with a pigeon as a child. My Penny’s cage was attached to my bedroom window so she could come and go as she pleased and be warm in the winter. My dad was an avid birder and bird photographer and felt no bird should be caged so he allowed me that one homing pigeon who even frequented my bedroom, and I held her a lot and did change her cage. Her band number was 2424. Where did I pull that from? 🙂 My aunt in Greenwich, New York had parakeets who flew all over her salon but went back to their cage whenever- open door policy:) except at night. Whether or not that’s where I got MAC is anyone’s guess. I came in contact with TB as a child somewhere as well so I’m told. Who knows. I never tested positive on a skin test so I think that’s questionable. Bird contact - feathers and whatnot are a source of MAC , but I’m going to go out on a limb and say don’t give up your bird feeders because there’s plenty of sources of MAC out there where certain people can find it - or it can find them. Irene5

One of the first questions I was asked after diagnosis was if I had chickens or birds. I grew up in the country and had many types of birds . The fact that potting soil is a source blew me away because I work in my flowers all year.Now I'll need to be more careful with it.