How 'extra' do I have to be?

[Cryss]

May I inquire as to why you bring your phone into the coop?

I take my phone first for taking pictures, second because one time hubby left the run before me and locked it up out of habit. Without my phone I was stuck!

 

[Spartan22]

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!

I have multiple boxes of disposable gloves by our back and front doors and another box of the same in the feed and supply storage with multiple extras in my pockets in case I need replacements. Of course washing hands on top of it is a must. I also have separate coop clothes and boots that never reach inside our house unless it’s being laundered. I don’t consider it extreme precautions just a regular everyday part of mini chores of enjoying our flock.

 

[allanb]

I keep a pair of shoes outside for working that I leave outside so I don't track anyranyt in. My wife has disposable booties to put on her shoes if she's just stepping outside and she also keeps a pair of work shoes for outside. We pet, pickup our chickens all the time. We just wash our hands when we come in. We make sure to keep the coop clean and put fresh hay in the run on a regular basis, and all has been just fine.

 

[meglynnie]

I think we all have good systems to keep ourselves healthy!

 

[ellend]

It's great place to learn!

Since most vets don't "do" chickens, this is often one of the FEW places to learn!

 

[Cryss]

Since most vets don't "do" chickens, this is often one of the FEW places to learn!

Amen to that!

 

[cfbrod]

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!

 

[cfbrod]

I have a pair of gardening/chicken shoes that generally live on my back porch so I don't trample chicken poop into the house. Otherwise good hand washing is the way to go. In 12 years I haven't had anyone sick from visiting my girls or collecting their eggs.

The other thing to do is just keep the coop clean and well ventilated to keep the girls healthy. There was a recent article here about ventilation. If you don't have enough ventilation the coop could end up hot & humid, full of mold and fungus & your girls will end up sick.
Good luck with your new flock, they are fun & the eggs are delicious.

 

[Jeddice]

This is coop I have. It’s a year old now, I liked it so much I bought a second because I bought more chicks. Ordered it on line. Took care of trying to get hubby to build one. (No carpenters here) We have them so they open into pen. Yesterday was spring cleaning, just a hose and brush to it. The pen is deep litter so that took alittle more time. Shoes at back door, disposable gloves and soap and water. My dogs hang with the ladies have had no problem (8 dogs).

 

[Willowspirit]

View attachment 1721320 View attachment 1721321 This is coop I have. It’s a year old now, I liked it so much I bought a second because I bought more chicks. Ordered it on line. Took care of trying to get hubby to build one. (No carpenters here) We have them so they open into pen. Yesterday was spring cleaning, just a hose and brush to it. The pen is deep litter so that took alittle more time. Shoes at back door, disposable gives and soap and water. My dogs hang with the ladies have had no problem (8 dogs).

I have been looking at this coop. I have A baRn coop that needs upgrAding anf hubby is stalling. Its good to know this is a possibility!