Campylobacter

[Amango]

My 2 year old was recently diagnosed with Campy. I really feel that she probably got it from our chickens. Do I get rid of my chickens? What should I do?

 

[Coralietg]

I had a campylobacter infection when I was very young, put me in the hospital for 2 weeks. My mother was told it was from Magpie faeces in my grandmothers garden.

It could be from your chickens, or wild birds. A lot of them naturally carry the bacteria. Maintaining good hygiene (handwashing after being around the chickens) would probably help. I think you might have more success with answers in other areas of this forum.

Hope your little one gets better soon!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=campylobacter
Here are some other threads you can read while you wait for more responses.

Sorry I don't know the answer to your question.

 

[Amango]

I've been trying to find info on whether or not it is common in chickens or if I should get rid if them. I do have kids under the age of 5. I've had them for 2 years now and have had no problem. Does anyone know if all chickens carry it!

 

[SunnySkies]

No, not all have it. Whenever I have a bird die, I have it tested by the state, and none of mine have ever tested positive. It is much more common for commercially raised chicken meat to carry it than a backyard laying hen, but other common sources are unpasteurized milk and produce. IIRC, the last major outbreak was from spinach.

Info on campy

http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/campylobacter/

I'd step up hygiene for my family and my birds. I have a bunch of kids and am pregnant and still wouldn't get rid of my chickens.

 

[LilRedRoo]

We have 6 children ranging in age from 1 to 14, and the younger ones have "less than desirable" hygein at times, particularly when handling the poultry (falling in the coop while trying to catch "Ziggy" et cetera). We just make sure to wash their hands and teach them the best we can. Mudboots/outside shoes have their place off to the side, hands get washed, don't put your fingers in your mouth...there's no way to keep children from getting into things or getting ill 100%, but we try to keep things as clean as we can. Typically the immune system will do its job, and getting rid of a flock would not be necessary. But only you know your children and whether they have an impaired immune system...you might discuss with the doctor what the potential seriousness could be in your specific case.

 

[AmericanMom]

Although we don't have little ones at home anymore, we do have two small Grandchildren who come spend time with Poppy and Nanny and a whole host of nieces and nephews and family friends.. I put a hand sanitizer out by the coop, our loved ones know to not mess with the chickens and if they do go out to gather eggs with us etc they always have to sanitize when leaving the coop. We also have purchased at yard sales, second hand stores several pairs of mud boots for visiting children.

We never have allowed the handling of the chickens by the little ones.

 

[Eggcessive]

As I said on your other thread, many chickens have campylobacter. We do not let our grandchildren in our chicken yard without us being there, more for the chickens's sake than any, but hand washing helps. Your children could easily get campylobacter from eating under cooked or mishandled chicken while eating out or even at home. Here is some information for you:
http://blog.chickenwaterer.com/2013/01/campylobacter-chickens-ten-tips.html
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/animal/backyard.html

 

[AmericanMom]

As I said on your other thread, many chickens have campylobacter. We do not let our grandchildren in our chicken yard without us being there, more for the chickens's sake than any, but hand washing helps. Your children could easily get campylobacter from eating under cooked or mishandled chicken while eating out or even at home. Here is some information for you:
http://blog.chickenwaterer.com/2013/01/campylobacter-chickens-ten-tips.html
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/animal/backyard.html

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