Letting your girls out towards the end of the day is a good option if you have to "supervise" them. It's pretty relaxing to sit and watch them and they won't go far because as soon as it gets dusky they'll want to get on their roosts for the night. We're in a more rural area and have never lost...
I have a pair of gardening/chicken shoes that generally live on my back porch so I don't trample chicken poop into the house. Otherwise good hand washing is the way to go. In 12 years I haven't had anyone sick from visiting my girls or collecting their eggs.
The other thing to do is just keep...
I've had a backyard flock for about 10 years - have been a regular visitor to this forum and decided that it was actually time to join! As well as 20 hens, I have 3 dogs & 1 cat. Also going to become a backyard beekeeper in the Spring!
