Germs in Soil?

[cochinbantam-lover]

Hi, I wanted to mix some soil with my clean sand and thought hey there might be germs in the soil, so had this idea that I would put the soil in the oven on high heat for a few minutes to kill any nasties that might be in there.

What do you think, would that make the soil safe then to use for my week and 2 day old babies to play in??

 

[Rolsjo]

I don't know about heating the soil or not. My chicks are the same age as yours and I put a clump of sod in the brooder with them this morning. We had a friend suggest it to keep the chicks from pecking at each other. He has raised thousands of chickens so we trust his advice.

Besides if your chickens are going to be outside anyway, I would think they would need exposure to whatever is around.

Here's to healthy chicks!

 

[MissPrissy]

Your chicks need exposure to soil with 'germs' to help build their natural immune system. Trying to keep them too clean is a disservice to their own body defenses against disease.

 

[gritsar]

Yeah, what Miss Prissy said. A body can't build a good immunity to something unless its exposed to it.

 

[TXmom]

Yep, I agree. By a week old, I was taking my chickies outside for short playtimes in the dirt/grass/germs whatever was out there. We started out just a few minutes at a time (it was chilly out), and as they got older I let them play longer.

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

Thankyou all! Makes sense!

 

[DUccleDude]

Coccidiosis can infect your chickens from soil. Keep an eye on the chickens droppings (POOP) for blood. If bloody poop is found you can get medication called Sulmet.

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

Quote:
Thanks! That's what I was thinking when I baked it for 20 minutes at 450 degrees.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Thanks! That's what I was thinking when I baked it for 20 minutes at 450 degrees.

If you are feeding medicated starter, the medication (usually amprolium (Sp?) helps to prevent the chick from being overwhelmed by coccidiosis AND helps them develop an immunity to it. They have to be exposed to develop an immunity. The simple solution is to feed the medicated starter and expose them to the soil.

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

I had my chicks vaccinated for mareks and cocci and I have them on organic chick starter. But my new chicks I am getting from Cackle won't be vaccinated for cocci only mareks so I will keep this in mind!
I guess I am being an over protective mom!

Thanks!