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

[CanaDawn]

My point was certainly not to throw caution to the wind concerning germs. Like you, I do not advocate bannister licking, chicken licking, etc.

I cannot speak for other chicken keepers, but here is the kind of scenario we encounter at our home: We come inside after gathering eggs, handling chickens, cleaning the coop, etc. "Chicken poop" shoes come off at the door, but door knobs, light switches, and other fixtures get touched with "chicken germ" hands. Every time someone enters or exits the house, those same fixtures get touched and those same germs end up right back where they came from. We strive to keep our hands washed and our home sanitary, but I've come to terms with the fact that it will never be sterile. Unfortunately, though we ALWAYS wash hands when we come back inside, I cannot guarantee that we ALWAYS clean those fixtures before someone touches them. And I cannot guarantee that we NEVER touch our eyes, noses, and mouths after touching those fixtures.

That is precisely why I say that people who fear chicken germs probably should not have chickens. Try as they may to avoid it, people who have them are eventually going to be exposed to their germs one way or another, like it or not. People who find that reality distressing will probably be more stressed than rewarded by the chicken keeping experience.

well, rest assured you can absolutely NEVER get your home sterile. I'd venture so far as to say no one can, under normal living conditions. "Sterile" has ended up being a meaningless word in day to day use, since people so often use it when they actually mean "sanitary"

I think being aware of the zoonoses possibilities of your pets is just good animal husbandry and good sense. I think freaking out about "germs" is too often fear-based vs information-based and it's hard to adjust people's settings on that (I think it's probably instilled pretty deeply in early childhood as to whether or not "dirt" is ok in moderation)

I still don't kiss my chickens. Why should I? They don't even kiss each other.

 

[shortgrass]

I suppose it's remotely possible, however I find it a little difficult, given that you were apparently actively using detergent and hot water.  (I work with e.coli to a limited extent)
Also?  Euw.  That deli had issues if there was ecoli on their knives. 

Lol that's why I thought it really ironic that all those donuts I ate after branding calves without washing my hands, and a HUMAN error is what caused me kidney failure? Errr... lol

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.

Oh yah, totally... Lol I'm allergic to the sun. That's it. The stupid sun. Almost died from a yucky people kitchen, never been sick with animal cooties...I'll stick with my dirty farm and keep kissing my beautiful rooster,... But not on the mouth

 

[CanaDawn]

Lol that's why I thought it really ironic that all those donuts I ate after branding calves without washing my hands, and a HUMAN error is what caused me kidney failure?

I can't even quite understand how you came to have a knife in a deli that had toxid-producing strains of e coli on it. (or had dishwater with it)
Or how a deli in that apparent state of chaos stayed in business....did it stay in business?? I bet the public health dept had a field day..

But given how many times I've been told I'm wrong in this thread, I'm just assuming that's gonna happen again....

 

[shortgrass]

I can't even quite understand how you came to have a knife in a deli that had toxid-producing strains of e coli on it. (or had dishwater with it)
Or how a deli in that apparent state of chaos stayed in business....did it stay in business?? I bet the public health dept had a field day..  
But given how many times I've been told I'm wrong in this thread, I'm just assuming that's gonna happen again....

Well lol...3 hints... Colorado... Rocky Ford... And a melon. It wasn't the deli; it was the produce supplier.

*and I add that it was MY fault. I knew better than not to wash a melon before cutting into it.

 

[Alexandra33]

And getting sick from new birds.

Actually, in my opinion, bloating and gas doesn't necessarily classify as being genuinely "sick". Sure, I might have a couple symptoms, but I have never been ill to the point of debilitation just from exposure to new chicks or ducks. I do realize that to some, these symptoms would indicate digestive distress; but I am not phased by their slightness. For people whose immune systems are compromised, the elderly, and very young, Salmonella is definitely a serious health concern, but I happen to think that most average individuals can weather the illness and not even know that they have it. There happen to be other animals owned by my household that you consider to be full of zoonotic diseases, such as 2 cats and 3 turtles, and although I don't kiss the turtles, I most certainly hug and kiss the cats. It is also irresistible for my family to handle toads, which have been pinned with the old wives tale that they can cause your body to produce warts; although I have by no means ever developed warts. I've been exposed to these creatures for 15 years, and not once have they transmitted something to me. I'll be honest, the only time I ever get sick is when we go to the grocery store (and I've always been extremely cautious in stores not to touch my eyes, ears, nose, or mouth until my hands are clean). This fact doesn't seem to make a difference, and somehow I still occasionally come down with the flu or a cold. Therefore, going out in public place is extremely disgusting to me, much more than kissing my sweet cats, chickens, or ducks. In conclusion, though, I respect anyone who finds it unsatisfactory to love on their pets, and would never do otherwise. Everyone is unique in their thoughts on this matter.

-Alexandra33

 

[CanaDawn]

Well lol...3 hints... Colorado... Rocky Ford... And a melon. It wasn't the deli; it was the produce supplier.

lol, I'm not American. Those hints mean nothing to me. But actually produce makes more sense than meat, in a deli, because I was assuming all the meat was precooked before it arrived.

 

[shortgrass]

lol, I'm not American.  Those hints mean nothing to me.  But actually produce makes more sense than meat, in a deli, because I was assuming all the meat was precooked before it arrived.

Well no, I cut raw chicken a lot too, but the consensus was the melons.

Here's what had happened.... I add that this company has redone ALL of their supply/shipping/packing practices. I don't want them to have any more grief; they have fixed their errors.
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3997933

If I'm scared of kissing anything, its another HUMAN lol...ewwww

 

[CanaDawn]

Actually, in my opinion, bloating and gas doesn't necessarily classify as being genuinely "sick". Sure, I might have a couple symptoms, but I have never been ill to the point of debilitation just from exposure to new chicks or ducks. I do realize that to some, these symptoms would indicate digestive distress; but I am not phased by their slightness. For people whose immune systems are compromised, the elderly, and very young, Salmonella is definitely a serious health concern, but I happen to think that most average individuals can weather the illness and not even know that they have it. There happen to be other animals owned by my household that you consider to be full of zoonotic diseases, such as 2 cats and 3 turtles, and although I don't kiss the turtles, I most certainly hug and kiss the cats. It is also irresistible for my family to handle toads, which have been pinned with the old wives tale that they can cause your body to produce warts; although I have by no means ever developed warts. I've been exposed to these creatures for 15 years, and not once have they transmitted something to me. I'll be honest, the only time I ever get sick is when we go to the grocery store (and I've always been extremely cautious in stores not to touch my eyes, ears, nose, or mouth until my hands are clean). This fact doesn't seem to make a difference, and somehow I still occasionally come down with the flu or a cold. Therefore, going out in public place is extremely disgusting to me, much more than kissing my sweet cats, chickens, or ducks. In conclusion, though, I respect anyone who finds it unsatisfactory to love on their pets, and would never do otherwise. Everyone is unique in their thoughts on this matter.

-Alexandra33

ok, I have to speak to a few of the statements in this:
- You do in fact get digestive symptoms with new birds. We won't quibble about whether or not that means you were sick. Getting new birds means having to get used to new germs. And you do. Because you're not vulnerable to worse symptoms.
- I do NOT consider those animals to be "full of zoonotic diseases". Rather, I think that being aware of what diseases may be transmissible by various species is good policy. It means a person can make sensible decisions about animal care practices if necessary. Toxoplasmosis is an issue for pregnant women, so it's wise to avoid cat crap then, even if the risk is fairly small. Etc. I'm not about to say "Pets are full of diseases you can catch" but there are a few things it's good to be aware of.
- Toads do not produce warts. You're right, that is indeed strictly an old wives' tale with no factual basis. I won't be kissing them because I am phobic, despite my best efforts to overcome what I fully am aware is not a real issue with handling toads, and which has nothing to do with fearing warts. Frogs are fine (but also don't get kissed).
- My pets are well-loved and they know it, even without kisses.

 

[Blooie]

But given how many times I've been told I'm wrong in this thread, I'm just assuming that's gonna happen again....

Oh,my! I certainly hope I didn't offend you! I didn't intend to do that at all, just to say that a wound can indeed become contaminated with e Coli. Please accept my apologies for coming across too strongly!

Well lol...3 hints... Colorado... Rocky Ford... And a melon. It wasn't the deli; it was the produce supplier.

*and I add that it was MY fault. I knew better than not to wash a melon before cutting into it.

Ah, yes......the dreaded contaminated melon outbreak of 2011, right? We found out about it right after eating a huge fruit salad (main component, melons!) while staying at the Ronald MacDonald house in Aurora, Colorado. Scared the peewadding out of us, but nothing came of it - for us anyway.

 

[CanaDawn]

Well no, I cut raw chicken a lot too, but the consensus was the melons.

Here's what had happened.... I add that this company has redone ALL of their supply/shipping/packing practices. I don't want them to have any more grief; they have fixed their errors.
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3997933

If I'm scared of kissing anything, its another HUMAN lol...ewwww

ok. That's listeria in the article. I think I'm just confused.