My husband and I are having a disagreement about chickens - we just got our first chicks. He read a news article that says Salmonella is on the rise with the increase in backyard chickens and doesn't want chickens in the house ever. I do not have chickens in the house, except to treat pasty butt at the utility sink, wash the waters and feeders (also at utility sink) and, if a chick is sick, put in in a box with a heating pad until it either dies or recovers. I take what to me are reasonable precautions to wash my hands regularly when handling chicks or chick things and washing up the sink.
I know some people have chicks in their bedrooms and even chickens in the house, but what I would like to find are sites that explain risks of chicken diseases spread to people. My husband said that in a quick google search, all 4 sites he found say to NEVER bring chickens into the house. I told him that when we buy and cut up chicken in the kitchen, we have salmonella, but he is now keyed into the risks of chickens, and I agreed to do more research on the risks. Any sources of info (not just personal experience) or explanations of risks would be welcome. I know it is going to come down to our usual differences in tolerance of risk, but having solid info on diseases and their transmission would be helpful. I fear it is like canning - the USDA and Coop Extension now have such strict safety routines for canning, it is a wonder that anyone lived through the days of my grandmothers canning.
I know some people have chicks in their bedrooms and even chickens in the house, but what I would like to find are sites that explain risks of chicken diseases spread to people. My husband said that in a quick google search, all 4 sites he found say to NEVER bring chickens into the house. I told him that when we buy and cut up chicken in the kitchen, we have salmonella, but he is now keyed into the risks of chickens, and I agreed to do more research on the risks. Any sources of info (not just personal experience) or explanations of risks would be welcome. I know it is going to come down to our usual differences in tolerance of risk, but having solid info on diseases and their transmission would be helpful. I fear it is like canning - the USDA and Coop Extension now have such strict safety routines for canning, it is a wonder that anyone lived through the days of my grandmothers canning.
