Hello! New and need advice.

[Miss Sunshine]

Hi everyone! I'm somewhat familiar with chicken-keeping, but due to a death in the family I'm now partially responsible for my mother's flock. While I'm happy to help (the girls are fun and my family loves the eggs!), I am a bit of a germaphobe. Where in the forum should I ask questions about keeping my family safe from diseases that chickens are known to carry? Thank you in advance!

 

[Venevee]

Hello!

I've had chickens for five years and never had a problem with diseases. As long as they are in a clean and healthy environment, they should be clean and healthy as well. Although...diseases and illness can happen. Keep their coop and areas clean.
https://morningchores.com/chicken-diseases/
^There's a article!
Also, most diseases that chickens get usually can't be transferred to humans. Your family should be safe around your birds. Just be aware of the signs and symptoms to keep your flock healthy.
And if you plan on ever adding to the flock, be sure that you get the bird from a clean (NPIP certified) facility to prevent the risk of bringing in a diseased bird to your flock.
Good luck and have fun with the chickens!

 

[N F C]

I also have never had a problem with "catching" anything from chickens but it's always a good idea to wash your hands after handling the birds, cleaning the coop, etc.

Sorry about the loss of a family member. If you have questions, always feel free to ask. In the meantime, there are some very helpful articles in the Learning Center that deal with a wide variety of topics and the Search box comes in very handy for finding specific answers.

Best wishes to you!

 

[CuzChickens]

Hello there, and my warmest welcome to the flock! I am quite pleased you decided to join us, please pull up a chair and make yourself at home here! I hope you enjoy it here as much as I have!

~Cuz

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Miss Sunshine, and

! Pleased you joined our flock! I agree with the above - most chicken diseases won't transfer to humans. However, germs from contact with the birds or eggs can leave these on your hands. A vigorous wash with hot soapy water will do the trick. Best wishes and thanks for joining BYC!!

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under Miss Sunshine

Welcome!

I am so very sorry to hear of your family member loss

You have received some good tips to date and I will just add that I keep a couple of bottles of instant hand sanitizer [no rinse required] strategically placed around the outdoor area and inside the house. They are very handy for a quick sanitize between chicken and egg handling etc and before a thorough hand wash with soapy water can be done.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends

 

[Wavechickens]

Welcome. Everyone seemed to already give great advice.

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard chickens. In the case of young children, it may be necessary to supervise them and be sure they wash their hands well after spending time with the chickens.

 

[Miss Sunshine]

Thanks, everyone! We're very good about hand washing (even the 6-year-old)...I guess I'm more worried about tracking stuff inside on our shoes. Everything I see says "keep a pair of shoes/boots outside just for chicken duty," which is fine except we have a MAJOR spider problem around here from mid spring-late fall...there is no way I'm convincing my arachnophobic self and mother to leave shoes outside. I've thought of maybe doing the same thing, except having them on a dedicated mat in a dedicated space by the back door.