Do you hug your fowl?

[Smileybans]

I knew chickens carried salmonella through their eggs and meat. Once I got chickens I learned they had it all over their body. Today I learned the CDC says you shouldn’t even touch a chicken. That you can catch it and spread it just by touching one. I know there’s a lot of threads about this but I’d like to see how many of you actually listen to this advice… or are like me and throw caution to the wind.

Well I hug my chickens. It calms my anxiety. I wash my hands after I touch their bedding and poo. I make my children use hand sanitizer after helping clean out the coops. Because I know that’s as good as it’s going to get with two nine year olds. I do follow common sense guidelines. If I’m about to eat and was just touching an animal, I wash my hands. I’d like to hear others thoughts on hugging and touching your chickens. Let’s keep it cordial and remember to follow the rules of BYC.

 

[mamajos]

Yep

 

[Silkie Princess]

Yup! Esspecialy the largest roos!

 

[MysteryChicken]

I knew chickens carried salmonella through their eggs and meat. Once I got chickens I learned they had it all over their body. Today I learned the CDC says you shouldn’t even touch a chicken. That you can catch it and spread it just by touching one. I know there’s a lot of threads about this but I’d like to see how many of you actually listen to this advice… or are like me and throw caution to the wind.

Well I hug my chickens. It calms my anxiety. I wash my hands after I touch their bedding and poo. I make my children use hand sanitizer after helping clean out the coops. Because I know that’s as good as it’s going to get with two nine year olds. I do follow common sense guidelines. If I’m about to eat and was just touching an animal, I wash my hands. I’d like to hear others thoughts on hugging and touching your chickens. Let’s keep it cordial and remember to follow the rules of BYC.

Misconception. Chickens do not carry salmonella. They get it by contaminated water sources, & Mice.

Egg contamination is 1 in 1 million eggs. This is based on outbreaks from the egg packing, & egg farm facilities.

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

I totally pet them and hug them but I wash my hands every time even if I'm just outside with them, it's a habit!

 

[MysteryChicken]

I hug my chickens, hold my chickens, & pet my chickens.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I totally pet them and hug them but I wash my hands every time even if I'm just outside with them, it's a habit!

Sometimes I forget, but still haven't gotten sick from the days I forget to wash my hands.

I usually only wash if I touch poop, or my hands get dirty.

 

[KingD]

I’d like to hear others thoughts on hugging and touching your chickens.

I don't hug my hens because I don't see any need to. They are definitely not pets once they reach an egg laying age.

As to the risk of catching nasty diseases and stuff, I don't think there's a very high risk. I do wash my hands after touching any animal though. I've probably had chicken poop in my mouth a few times and I'm still alive so..

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Part of the joys of owning chickens in my opinion is them being pets. They are so much fun! I have a goose and boy, she's like a dog she is so sweet! I've named my entire flock and they are totally my pets!

 

[MysteryChicken]

The only time I got Salmonella was when I was a toddler, & when I came in contact with my dad's pet python.