I just watched someone kiss one of my birds, repeatedly.

[TBirdsTheWord33]

Artzwolf, I have heard and read over the years that livestock vets, farm kids, and kids raised with indoor pets are healthier and have stronger immune systems. Since this individual gave you some goats, he/she has almost certainly been exposed to a plethora of livestock germs and has built resistance. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[CanaDawn]

Artzwolf, I have heard and read over the years that livestock vets, farm kids, and kids raised with indoor pets are healthier and have stronger immune systems. Since this individual gave you some goats, he/she has almost certainly been exposed to a plethora of livestock germs and has built resistance. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

yes, I was just going to post that it is possible to build resistance to pathogens you have been exposed to (although at one point, they're probably gonna make you sick, before that resistance happens). There's a difference between specific resistance and the state of one's immune system, but we'll skip that. Discussing it rarely ends well.

I think there's a difference between worrying about someone else kissing their pets (go for it, whatever), and wanting to do it oneself (no thanks, generally) or finding it appealing or appropriate (nope, not really, please don't let my dog lick you, and I would strongly prefer you not kiss my hens.)

I'm not gonna panic about it, because I don't put my hands on my face unless I know hands and face are clean ( I work in a lab) (although...ringworm doesn't care about getting in your mouth)

 

[Alexandra33]

Salmonella IS a human germ, in that it affects people and that it is found on doorhandles etc. Same same. You have never had diarrhea/cramps etc? Mostly, episodes of digestive upset are never pinpointed as to source cuz mostly people just spend a day or two feeling like crap and carry on, and are never diagnosed as to what specifically caused the illness.

Anyway....do what you do, since you're gonna do it anyway.

I've actually never had diarrhea from the birds, although with every new batch of chicks I would experience mild digestive problems, such as bloating and gas. But I always adjust to their germs and never have trouble thereafter. I have always been a diehard hand washer, too. What can I say, I love my girls!

-Alexandra33

 

[CanaDawn]

I've actually never had diarrhea from the birds, although with every new batch of chicks I would experience mild digestive problems, such as bloating and gas. But I always adjust to their germs and never have trouble thereafter. I have always been a diehard hand washer, too. What can I say, I love my girls!

-Alexandra33

There ya go. You get mildly ill from new birds and you don't care and want to keep kissing them. (washing your hands is minimally effective if you skip them and rub your mouth directly on the carrier....lol) Carry on.

 

[Alexandra33]

There ya go. You get mildly ill from new birds and you don't care and want to keep kissing them. (washing your hands is minimally effective if you skip them and rub your mouth directly on the carrier....lol) Carry on.

That is true regarding hand washing.

 

[nchls school]

Chickens can carry salmonella. She could easily get extremely sick. Please tell your wife why it's not a good idea to kiss chickens. You can ask anyone here.Please be sure to wash your hands after touching chickens,too.

Tell my wife...? It would not make a difference. Kimmi will do what Kimmi will do. It has been many years and I have to believe the posts below; there's more danger in the germs from the people around us.

 

[CanaDawn]

That is true regarding hand washing.

And getting sick from new birds.

 

[CanaDawn]

Tell my wife...? It would not make a difference. Kimmi will do what Kimmi will do. It has been many years and I have to believe the posts below; there's more danger in the germs from the people around us.

Well....that conclusion about relative danger isn't really true, but what you can take home is that "it's been many years" and she's probably built up resistance AND she's not gonna listen anyhow

 

[TBirdsTheWord33]

To kiss or not to kiss a chicken...it's a personal decision. If you don't want to, that's fine. If you want to, then accept the risk. Bottom line is, unless you live in a bubble, there are germs all around you. Those who fear chicken germs probably should not have chickens. Same goes for other animals.

 

[Alexandra33]

To kiss or not to kiss a chicken...it's a personal decision. If you don't want to, that's fine. If you want to, then accept the risk. Bottom line is, unless you live in a bubble, there are germs all around you. Those who fear chicken germs probably should not have chickens. Same goes for other animals.

I completely agree, TBirdsTheWords33. It couldn't have been better said.

-Alexandra33