Fellow BYCer is need of morel support.

[Kuntry Klucker]

Hi All,

so...I went to a party the other night. As as always the topic of my backyard chickens came up.
Well, a fellow who also attend the party had some things to say about backyard chickens that upset/scared me.
I know that I for one have had them for 4 years and so far I am still alive, but some of the things he said
really shook me up. Let me share with you some of his points and see what the community here
thinks.

He mentioned that backyard chickens are disease factories. That it is just a matter of time before I
get really sick from keeping them. Being around poultry is something that needs to be left to the experts in
handeling and sanitation. That backyard keepers just don't have the money to put into equipment and
sanitation that they really need to be safely around live poultry. He went on to point out that when any animal
gets sick we run the risk of also getting quite ill and even deathly ill. Not to mention that bird flu that is now making
rounds, it is just a matter to time before I have to deal with it and it can kill humans.

I mean I get that he is not a fan of chicken. He is a vegan now that I recall, he does not eat any meat for
fear of getting sick from it. Anyway, he made some good point in his rant. Are chickens dangerous to keep
as pets in the back yard due to the diseases that they can harbor?

Now I have been at this for 4 years and so far I am still here. But when I started keeping them I kind
of jumped in. I did not consider all the diseases that they can give me. I mean I have cats, they can give
me diseases too I guess.

I don't know, I guess it just does not help since I have already had a hard week with my flock. I have had to deal
with fly strike which some of you know is a nightmare literally.

He kind of shook me up, are chickens really dangerous to your health to keep and be around? Now I am not an expert,
I take things as they come. I don't have a degree in veterinary medicine or even livestock management. I am just a regular
country girl taking on the hobby of back yard chickens.

any experienced advice on the issue?

Thanks

 

[N F C]

My advice would be don't let him get to you. As you pointed out, you've had your flock for 4 years and you're ok. I would guess you know more about chickens than he does.

Keep your birds healthy and learn as much about them as you can. I'd be willing to bet more people have been injured or made sick by their cats and dogs than chickens. Did he have anything valid like scientific research to base his opinions on or was he just being a know-it-all?

People say all kinds of bizarre things, you can only sift out what's helpful and what is not. Toss out what is not helpful.

 

[7KardashiHens]

In my opinion, you're more likely to get sick eating commercially raised chickens/eggs than you are from your own. At least you know what antibiotics, vaccines, and infections your flock has had; with commercial chickens, you don't! People have raised chickens for hundreds of years and we haven't been wiped out yet! Keep your coop clean, give the chickens fresh feed and water daily, and wash your hands frequently-- you'll prevent most infections this way. Here's an interesting article I found that might ease your fears more than my opinions (haha) : http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/06/salmonella-risk-in-backyard-chicken-eggs/

 

[Mutt Farm]

Hi! I'm sorry he worried you, but good subject! I'm a newby chicken farmer but have years in Animal Control and disease transmission, control and prevention, Zoonosis. First, ask yourself if this gent has knowledge of disease control and transmission, or is repeating activist tactics aimed at scaring folks out of eating meat. My Dad was raised on a farm, worked on filthy chicken and Turkey ranches WAY before strict regulation. He's 83, so don't panic just yet! Second, are your chickens completely free range or somewhat contained? Having chicken poop all over the property makes sanitation more challenging. Overcrowding also makes sanitation difficult. Any open H20, puddle, mud, waterpan is a petri dish for disease.. DRY area with air movement and lots of sunshine is a natural defense against disease. I'm not phobic about disease, but I'm careful. I don't like poop on my shoes, so I wear the paper booties when I hang out with them. I wear gloves when I'm cleaning and changing H20. Both are cheap. Oh, and I don't bite my nails! LOL!
Third, Are they for eggs or for meat or for both? I found good stuff about safe egg handling and clean nest boxes! Fascinating! If they're for meat, I'm clueless.
I hope you feel better, personally I chose to raise my own eggers and grow my own veggies because I don't trust the "experts".

 

[keesmom]

He mentioned that backyard chickens are disease factories. That it is just a matter of time before I
get really sick from keeping them. Being around poultry is something that needs to be left to the experts in
handeling and sanitation. That backyard keepers just don't have the money to put into equipment and
sanitation that they really need to be safely around live poultry. He went on to point out that when any animal
gets sick we run the risk of also getting quite ill and even deathly ill. Not to mention that bird flu that is now making
rounds, it is just a matter to time before I have to deal with it and it can kill humans.

If they are properly cared for - coops cleaned regularly, clean water, fresh air, ample space, no constant introductions of new birds - they are far from disease factories. In fact, the ones having the most issues with the current bout of avian flu are the producers with the strictest biosecurity measures. The vast majority of poultry illnesses, including this strain of avian flu, are not transmissible to humans. I have had chickens for over 15 years and I have never come down with a poultry related illness. Neither have my kids (12 and 10) and they grew up with them. In fact they have never even had to take antibiotics for anything.

I mean I get that he is not a fan of chicken. He is a vegan now that I recall, he does not eat any meat for
fear of getting sick from it. Anyway, he made some good point in his rant. Are chickens dangerous to keep
as pets in the back yard due to the diseases that they can harbor?

Now I have been at this for 4 years and so far I am still here. But when I started keeping them I kind
of jumped in. I did not consider all the diseases that they can give me. I mean I have cats, they can give
me diseases too I guess.

I don't know, I guess it just does not help since I have already had a hard week with my flock. I have had to deal
with fly strike which some of you know is a nightmare literally.

He kind of shook me up, are chickens really dangerous to your health to keep and be around? Now I am not an expert,
I take things as they come. I don't have a degree in veterinary medicine or even livestock management. I am just a regular
country girl taking on the hobby of back yard chickens.

any experienced advice on the issue?

Thanks

Vegans sure can take the fun out of living. I'm sure there must be a reasonable vegan out there, I haven't met one though. Could you potentially pick up an illness from your birds? I suppose. You could also be struck my a meteor tomorrow too.

 

[N F C]

Sorry, I just couldn't resist

 

[Sjisty]

He sounds like a real jerk! Sorry, I tell it like I see it. I've had chickens for almost 10 years and I'm still alive! Most illnesses that animals get aren't passed to us, and vice versa. I think you need better friends!

 

[HeritageGoose13]

He is a vegan now that I recall

It all started making sense to me when I read that.

For some people veganism is just a diet. But for many others, it's like a cult and they feel like they need to "convert" others to their lifestyle even through lying. It's very bizarre and I didn't believe it at first, but if you know any ex-vegans they'll tell you how it is. Anyway, I think this guy just got very offended that you keep chickens and is trying to discourage you from doing it by making things up.

Being around animals is actually good for your immune system. Don't let these people discourage you. I don't know anyone who ever got sick from keeping chickens, but I have met many people who got sick on a vegan diet.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Thank you all so much for your comments. I don't know what info this guy had. I was too busy picking my jaw up all of the floor to ask.
I know that he is a strict vegan, so maybe it was a scar tactic. Often they do that to get their point across. I had never met him before, he was
another guess at the party so I did not even meet him till the other day. No, he is not my friend and will not be welcome to my house, and will never
get free eggs!!!

Anyway, I do the best I can at keeping my girls clean, and happy. They get fresh water daily, fresh feed daily, I deep clean their coop twice a year
or so. They get wormed once a year, I put epernix on them for mites and so forth. As far as free ranging, I am not sure what to do with that anymore.
I used to free rare 100% till the bird flu starting showing up. After that I confined them to their pen. Their pen is covered and protects them from predators
and rain. I keep them as clean as a I can seeing that they are chickens and messy anyway.

Correct me if I a wrong. But salmanella is killed when eggs and meat are cooked fully right? Or is this one of the diseases that can get you sick
no matter how well you cook something?

If my flock would come down with salmonella, is their a way to treat it? Or one they have an out break it is said and done? Just wondering.

Here is a pic of my pen and coop if you are interested.

They have a chicken yard or uncovered run that is under the big tree to the left of the pen and coop. They spend lots of time there playing
and eating bugs.





Here is the inside of the pen and the entrance to the coop from the pen.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

In my opinion, you're more likely to get sick eating commercially raised chickens/eggs than you are from your own. At least you know what antibiotics, vaccines, and infections your flock has had; with commercial chickens, you don't! People have raised chickens for hundreds of years and we haven't been wiped out yet! Keep your coop clean, give the chickens fresh feed and water daily, and wash your hands frequently-- you'll prevent most infections this way. Here's an interesting article I found that might ease your fears more than my opinions (haha) : http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/06/salmonella-risk-in-backyard-chicken-eggs/

Thanks, the link was very helpful.