Chicken mess!

[mamahen91]

If you were to take over a flock that was living in dirty conditions what would you do to ensure that the birds are healthy? Is there a way to tell if their eggs are carrying salmonella?

 

[bobbi-j]

I don't know if you can test them for salmonella or not. Your best bet there is basic safe food handling. Cooking them thoroughly, don't eat raw dough (or anything else with raw eggs in it), was hands and surfaces after contact with raw eggs. As far as ensuring their health, you might want to inspect them for lice and mites, possibly take a fecal sample in to test for worms, and simply observe the birds. Do they have nice, healthy looking feathers? Eyes clear and bright? Are they active? Eating and drinking OK?