barefoot in the coop

[fowltemptress]

Quote:

Yup, a backwoods hillbilly family raised smack dab in the middle of Highland Park in Dallas.

Frankly, I'm thankful every day for my family. I feel sorry for those who were raised to be constantly shoed. And yeah, that includes experiencing the unique feeling of gooshiness between your toes. There's a reason hoses were invented.

 

[Sock Puppet]

I wish I could go barefoot

but I cant. I have to wear shoes in the house even. Walking on the cold tile barefoot makes my foot hurt.

Outside I would never be caught barefoot, now my kids thats another story. Cant seem to keep their shoes on.

 

[Akane]

I think the idea of getting parasites through your feet just sounds insane. The only way it could increase your chances is if you get stuff on your feet, then touch your feet or touch your hands to something your feet have, and then put your hands in your mouth or touch something that goes in your mouth. Parasites pretty much have to be ingested. If your handling animals then yes you have a chance of picking up a few parasites. In fact nearly every single person on the planet has a couple parasites living in them. You're still alive aren't you? Every living thing has a few parasites. Parasites only become a problem when they multiply out of control. Majority do not complete their lifespan in their main host so to get more parasites you (or your animals) have to keep ingesting more. So long as you don't follow absolutely horrid hygiene practices you will never get enough of most parasites to notice them. There are a handful of exceptions but they still aren't common and are easily treated. You can get medication for pinworms otc to take if you're ever concerned about it.

I generally wear something into the coop or horse stable just cause I dislike the feel of squishing fresh poo under my feet. However if I need something and I happen to be barefoot I won't hesitate to step in the coop and I've gone out barefoot to catch horses and bring them into the stable before. Most of the time I don't wear shoes in summer. Sometimes we go hiking at a local state park with a creek and don't wear shoes so we can walk through the creek. There are entire groups of people who go barefoot 24/7 even in big cities. None of them get sick. The biggest concern is stepping on glass which in the country is not much of an issue. Thistles are rather uncomfortable though. If you have a problem with tracking stuff in the house you can just wipe your feed like you wash your hands. They'll come cleaner easier than a pair of shoes and like I said unless your touching your feet and putting your hands in your mouth you aren't going to get sick with anything. The risk is no greater than touching chickens with your hands. I don't wash my hands after handling animals. I wash my hands before eating food and if I get manure on them I'll try to at least rinse them soon. Most of the time I wipe it on my jeans and then wear those jeans the rest of the day anyway so it's not going to make a big difference.

We have immune systems for a reason.

A commonly studied case in medical schools has to do with a parent that kept their child from getting dirty, washed constantly, and sterilized everything. Then sent the kid to school. The kid never developed an immune system from never being exposed and died within months. I've never used antibacteral soap outside of a public restroom or used hand wipes and I get sick with a cold or flu maybe once every 2 or 3 years. Exposure is good for you.

 

[beakkeeper]

Weeeeelll, my friend got ringworm just by playing with some kitties, not by ingesting the dirt or anything. I suppose the chances are pretty slim, but you still need to use common sense.

 

[MagsC]

I go barefoot in the summer but not near as much as I did when I was a child!
By the end of summer the bottoms of our feet were so tough we could go across gravel no problem,lol.
I agree there is nothing wrong with going barefoot as long as you practice decent hygiene.

 

[key west chick]

I have black rubber boots for my chicken pens. But when I was a kid, I wouldnt wear shoes unless we went somewhere. We ran up and down the gravel road, in the creek and in the woods, hardly ever wearing shoes.

 

[key west chick]

You know, come to think of it, when my kids were little, they ate dirt, played in the rain,ran around with their hair wet and are hardly ever sick. My SIL washes everything her kids touch, and they are always sick.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

Quote:
I do it occasionaly. But DH has a major fit every time he sees me or finds out that I have done it. He threatens to not let me in the house. Then again he has been working so much that he doesn't know that on the dry days I go out barefoot lol.

 

[Sunny the Hippie Chick]

I used to run barefoot all over my aunts farm.. Including the chicken pen. You just try to avoid the big wet poos.. And if you step in it. Just wipe your feet on a clump of grass and walk on.. Now the gross thing to step in is a fresher cow pie that you some how missed seeing.. I go barefoot all day now. Some times run my husband lunch at work with no shoes on. I have some internet friends on another site that never ever where shoes. Not even in public. Well I wear shoes if I have to.. Darn it.. Adult-hood kind of sucks. I wish I didnt have to put shoes on...

By the way. Feet are very washable..

ETA that my hubby wont even walk out the door in the drive way barefoot. And it is pavement..

 

[Danigirl3]

The only place I would ever walk barefoot outside is the beach and even that can be a hazard sometimes. But walking in the coop barefoot......... ewwww. lol