Hi Everyone, My family and I just moved out to our new home in the country with 8 acres of land. We have always planned to get Chickens and raise them from when they are Baby chicks. I ordered our baby chicks and we are suppose to be getting them at the end of February. We have a little surprise we found out that we are pregnant surprise!!. Now I don't know if it is ok to care for chickens while Being pregnant etc. Yes i know women have done it for years but what is the best way to care for them while being pregnant and how do you make sure the eggs are safe to eat? I will be doing this myself and Hubby has no interest in it. So wondering if I should start it now our in Oct after baby is here.
What do you mean about making sure the eggs are safe to eat? As long as your hens are not on medication and you are collecting eggs regularly they are always safe to eat.
Welcome and congratulations on your pregnancy, hope all goes well for you and the baby. Honestly there's nothing to be worried about. You don't need more precautions than all of us should do to care for our flocks, good hand washing after tending them. Eggs from your own flock are likely safer than those from commercial chickens, but IMO all should be cooked. They are safer to store unwashed ( to leave the protected bloom on the shell) - an egg brush to remove slight soils or a piece of sandpaper. But wash those that are poopy and crack and store in fridge to cook soon or cook immediately or save to cook to treat the flock. There's really nothing to catch that can harm a pregnancy - but if you use sand flooring ( as I do) make sure cats don't have access to the sand. Same risks as a cat litter box is to pregnancy. You are about to enter two great adventures, wishing you the best luck with all. Feel free to ask questions, we're here to help.
Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined the flock! Congratulations on your pregnancy! Just make sure to cook your eggs all the way. That way if there happens to be anything in the eggs it will die. Make sure you wash your hands before eating as well I think wouldn't hurt. Even though after a while you build up an immunity.
I agree with regular sanitation, hand washing etc. I would keep away from cleaning cat litter boxes that IS something that should be off limits to pg moms. If you husband balks at helping you - maybe he needs to be reminded it takes TWO people to have a pregnancy. If your child isn't due to Oct. that gives your clicks enough time to be grown up and not need special babying. They will do fine on their own with feeding,watering, coop cleanup.
Hello! Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to join the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC. Congratulations on your expected bundle of joy.
Go for it! Wash your hands and gather the eggs regularly. You will know when the eggs were laid, what the hens ate and have much more control over conditions than with store bought eggs. But remember, your chicks will be around 20 plus weeks old when the eggs begin to roll in. And if your chicks are straight run, you'll have cockerels to deal with (freezer or otherwise). Good luck and enjoy your new lifestyle!
