birds infecting us

[Boonie Stomper]

Of course, if there is any avian influenza going around in your area, play it safer. We wouldn't want to facilitate it mutation into a human flu pandemic.
That said. I shared soup with my ever demanding girls right from the bowl as I ate. I also walk around their yard barefoot. I don't refrigerate their eggs most of the time, and sometimes eat them raw. None the worse for all that!

 

[Newfarmer36]

NF, do you have any medical concerns that place you at more risk of infection? Common sense practice should prevail. Obviously, if you are on any immunosuppressants, pregnant, or trying to get pregnant, then you must be very diligent to avoid exposure to illness. Chickens have been implicated in transmission of salmonella, and it's possible to pick up other illness from them. I've had chickens for years, and raised multiple broods of chicks, never had any illness associated with them. Would I rub a chick on my face, or kiss it? Absolutely not. Nor would I kiss my dog on the lips. I know where those lips have been! Enjoy your birds, but keep them away from your face!

Nope! I have no medical issues. Neither to my kids!

 

[rebrascora]

I agree with @Boonie Stomper If you have spent your whole life keeping yourself and your environment scrupulously clean and as free from bacteria as you can, then you are probably more likely to get sick from handling your poultry and bringing them into the house, than someone who has been less fastidious, because your immune system will probably not be as strong. That said, if you are that sort of person..... your husband sounds like he may be, so he may be more at risk.... then you are likely not the sort of person to bring your duck into the house and love on it anyway.

In reality you are probably no more likely to get sick from having a chicken or duck in the house and petting it, than you are a dog or a cat.

 

[lazy gardener]

And you are more likely to get sick from handling your kids than you are from handling your poultry!

 

[rebrascora]

Of course, if there is any avian influenza going around in your area, play it safer. We wouldn't want to facilitate it mutation into a human flu pandemic.
That said. I shared soup with my ever demanding girls right from the bowl as I ate. I also walk around their yard barefoot. I don't refrigerate their eggs most of the time, and sometimes eat them raw. None the worse for all that!

You are my sort of person!

 

[lazy gardener]

Of course, if there is any avian influenza going around in your area, play it safer. We wouldn't want to facilitate it mutation into a human flu pandemic.
That said. I shared soup with my ever demanding girls right from the bowl as I ate. I also walk around their yard barefoot. I don't refrigerate their eggs most of the time, and sometimes eat them raw. None the worse for all that!

Was it chicken soup?

 

[Newfarmer36]

Of course, if there is any avian influenza going around in your area, play it safer. We wouldn't want to facilitate it mutation into a human flu pandemic.
That said. I shared soup with my ever demanding girls right from the bowl as I ate. I also walk around their yard barefoot. I don't refrigerate their eggs most of the time, and sometimes eat them raw. None the worse for all that!

We have the flu going around here so ill be super careful.

 

[sourland]

Cuz he's always in his undergarments

You've been peeking ?

 

[Newfarmer36]

I agree with @Boonie Stomper If you have spent your whole life keeping yourself and your environment scrupulously clean and as free from bacteria as you can, then you are probably more likely to get sick from handling your poultry and bringing them into the house, than someone who has been less fastidious, because your immune system will probably not be as strong. That said, if you are that sort of person..... your husband sounds like he may be, so he may be more at risk.... then you are likely not the sort of person to bring your duck into the house and love on it anyway.

In reality you are probably no more likely to get sick from having a chicken or duck in the house and petting it, than you are a dog or a cat.

Lol. He's just overly cautious.

 

[rebrascora]

And you are more likely to get sick from handling your kids than you are from handling your poultry!

THIS IS SO TRUE! Viruses and even parasites manage to spread much more easily amongst the same species (many are species specific)..... Does that mean it would be safer to keep your children in the chicken coop and bring the chucks in the house??