Can a box turtle live with my girls?

[nuts4hotwheels]

Somebody gave me a box turtle. I have been letting it walk around in the yard while my girls free range and they get along fine so far. I live in Texas and it is perfect weather for a box turtle to live outside. Would it be ok for the turtle to live in the run with the girls?

 

[leadwolf1]

Box turtles can carry salmonella...at least I'm about 90% sure of that. I'm not sure that I would want them around my laying hens.

 

[nuts4hotwheels]

Chickens can carry salmonella as well as many other animals as far as that is concerned.

 

[PlatypusPerry]

Chickens can carry salmonella as well as many other animals as far as that is concerned.

True, but the Salmonella strain that is normally found on snakes or turtles may be different from the kind that is found on chickens.

I'd be cautious about them sharing water.

 

[leadwolf1]

I know, through testing, that my chickens are salmonella free. I wish to keep it that way. By having the turtle in with the chickens, the chickens will most definitely taste the turtle droppings and infect the chickens. Why run the risk of infecting your chickens and then, possibly infecting your family? I would just turn the poor box turtle loose...but, that is me.

 

[RachaelS]

Chickens can carry salmonella as well as many other animals as far as that is concerned.

I bet you can contact someone specializing in turtles to talk to. I had a box turtle and we handled her all the time and never worried. I also handle my chickens and don't worry. However, they never did live together, never thought of it

good luck!