Contagious diseases

[Sondra_Lovell]

Hello everyone. What are the risks of getting sick from handling and caring for chickens? CDC has very scary warnings. Like, what if you wear shoes outside and then walk in your house? Are the health risks really so serious? What if you’re nursing an injured chicken? CDC says don’t bring them in your house. I have a sinus infection and get sick easily. Am I putting myself at risk by keeping an injured chicken in my bathroom? I use gloves and clean EVERYTHING thoroughly. I use pet training pads and toss them straight away and clean hands, faucets, everything I use to feed the bird. I wrap him in a pad and then swaddle him in a towel and hold him because he seems to get lonely. Am I being careful enough? Can I get sick by doing any of this? Am I being paranoid?

 

[aart]

Am I being paranoid?

Maybe a little.

Keeping things clean and washing your hands should be enough unless you are seriously immuno-compromised. Would probably better not to keep the bird in the house, the dust from feather dander may irritate your sinuses even more.

Sounds like you are well exposed to chickens tho:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/injured-rooster.1294568/

 

[mixedbreeds]

You are being way paranoid just use common sense and you will be fine. Wash your hands after handling chickens, I normally have a rag in my back pocket to wipe my hands off with when I’m feeding and watering them. I’m a smoker they haven’t got me sick yet and I have 75 chickens not counting chicks.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I agree with @aart
I just wash my hands and spray off my boots before I go in. Believe me, spraying your boots saves you the trouble of smelling them later.

 

[2 many chickens]

Just use common sense and practice good hygiene and you'll be fine. Haven't ever gotten ill from my flocks.

 

[Sondra_Lovell]

Thanks y’all.. So much. I appreciate your experience and reassurance. I love this group of chicken lovers.

 

[Sondra_Lovell]

Maybe a little.

Keeping things clean and washing your hands should be enough unless you are seriously immuno-compromised. Would probably better not to keep the bird in the house, the dust from feather dander may irritate your sinuses even more.

Sounds like you are well exposed to chickens tho:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/injured-rooster.1294568/

>> Thanks so much. Feeling unwell definitely makes me feel paranoid. Haha. I guess I’m just learning and trying to use caution. ^_^*

 

[pennyJo1960]

I do not have much of immune left graves took mine but cancer never really let me have it back I have 30 birds they have not made me sick I am 58 still kickin

 

[Sondra_Lovell]

I do not have much of immune left graves took mine but cancer never really let me have it back I have 30 birds they have not made me sick I am 58 still kickin

>> Oh my!! Bless your heart.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Thank you common sense is not taught in school you have it or not
wash our hands, practice basic bio security I do not wear chicken shoes around the house I wash my hands so much I buy mega bottles hand lotion