How 'extra' do I have to be?

[meglynnie]

Good Evening Flock!

I'm extremely new to chickens. Last night I picked up 10 Rhode Island Red chicks and brought them safely home. They are such fun lil creatures!

I have always wanted chickens to add into our hobby farm, however I was always hesitate due to being a bit paranoid of zoonotic diseases via chickens. I have no idea why I am paranoid about this. I have/had horses, cat, rabbits and dogs but I suppose my slight paranoia is due to not being around chickens at all in my life.

My question is how 'extra' do I need to be with cleanliness to make sure me, my husband and visitors stay healthy?

The most basic step is of course washing hands before or after, but then I feel I get to extreme. I get back in the house and change my clothes out immediately, leave my shoes outside, and sanitize my phone. Is all that really necessary or am I really doing the right thing?

I know this is such an odd topic but hey I have to learn some how!

Thank you!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I just wash my hands after messing with birds.

 

[JaeG]

Simple hand washing and leaving your chicken shoes outside are enough to avoid getting sick from anything they 'might' have. Most people never have a problem.

The odd person claims they have been given salmonella by their chickens but you're more likely to catch that from a commercially kept flock because the symptoms go unnoticed. Fresh fruit and vegetables are also a culprit as they can be contaminated by rodents when stored in warehouses.

We've never had a problem and our kids love their birds.

 

[aart]

Having dedicated coop shoes is good, washing hands is good.
The rest sounds extreme unless you and your phone are rolling around on the coop floor.
I only change my clothes if I get pooped on while doing exams.

ETA: unless you are immunosuppressed, then it's a whole other ballgame, talk to your doctor.

 

[meglynnie]

Thank you everyone for the honest replies! Researching via google is probably not the best idea.. lol

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Thank you everyone for the honest replies! Researching via google is probably not the best idea.. lol

Google will make you paranoid

 

[aart]

Thank you everyone for the honest replies! Researching via google is probably not the best idea.. lol

All of the net, including BYC, needs to taken with grains of salt.

 

[meglynnie]

Google will make you paranoid

Exactly! I know this but it just lures me in.

 

[meglynnie]

All of the net, including BYC, needs to taken with grains of salt.

That’s true as well! BYC still an okay place to learn ?

 

[aart]

That’s true as well! BYC still an okay place to learn ?

It's great place to learn!