I think my chicks made me very sick

[steppinthrax]

So roughly a week after getting my first batch of chicks I starting come down with a really bad stomach bug. To be honest I didn't wash my hands every time I handled them and I was the primary person touching them. I handled them a lot because I was really curious about chicks. It was real bad, felt like i was going to die. I suspect Salmonella. I had 2 days of strong stomach discomfort (felt like a rock was in my stomach). Extreme weakness and fever. I slept for 10 hours straight. I guess it moved down to my intestines because I had 2 more days of straight water diarrhea (sorry for being graphic) every 15 minutes. I'm young, so it didn't last very long (Friday to Sunday). But It packed a powerful punch. Today I think I'm in top shape.

I strongly suspect it's the chicks because when researching how clinicians deal with stomach bugs, they ask the patient if they got a "new pet". They talk about salmonella etc..

So here's my question and main point. I did do some research as to how to spot salmonella in chicks and there's not much. It simply says if they have blue eyes and they act lethargic etc... But I also read that you can't tell. So I did research on how to "clear up" an infection of salmonella in your flock of chicks and I can't find any information. I have a large bottle of Amoxicillin 500mg. I'm thinking if I were to break open a capsule and put it in their water dish, but I don't know if that's correct.

I also suspect that like in humans it will clear up on it's own, is that correct? What other viruses/pathogens can humans get from chickens? Also these came from TSC, as I understand they were inoculated usually from the hatchery ?

 

[SueT]

Chickens can carry salmonella, and this bacteria is found in the feces, on their feet, feathers, and their living space. The chickens don't get sick from it. It isn't something they are inoculated for.
It is important to wash hands every time after handling chickens, feeders, waterers, cleaning their brooder/coop etc.

 

[steppinthrax]

Thanks, so the salmonella is something that they live with kinda in a symbiosis. I'm worried my kids may touch and not wash their hands etc. I guess I'm wondering if it's too much to ask to feed them some sort of medicine to kill the pathogen so that throughout their life my risk is zero.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I have to agree with Sue growing up on a farm we never got sick from them that was like 50 years ago now but even challenged immune now basic bio security will do the job even with no immune system of you own probably a stomach bug from employee made to work ill

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Campylobacter is one that you may want to look into as well.
Sounds like you need to see your Doctor.

 

[steppinthrax]

Campylobacter is one that you may want to look into as well.
Sounds like you need to see your Doctor.

I'm fine now!!! Thanks

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm fine now!!! Thanks

Great! Somehow I missed that part! Glad you are better.

 

[IamRainey]

Sounds like the chicks are the source. I had that diarrhea for the first 2 weeks I had chickens too. I started with 6-week old birds and I wasn't handling them all that much but, nevertheless...

Get treatment if you don't think you've turned the corner. I didn't need to but what I'm responding to let you know is it never bothers me anymore despite the fact that I'm casual about hand washing and I've knowingly handled chicken poo on more than a few occasions. Plus, at 72, I'm in that "elderly" category who should avoid raw eggs. (NEVER going to happen!!!)

Our immune systems do an amazing job if we let them have the exposure they require to the noxious stuff And kids who are exposed to stuff early in their lives develop fewer allergies their lives long.

 

[Percheron chick]

Teachable moment .

 

[cathloveydovey]

So roughly a week after getting my first batch of chicks I starting come down with a really bad stomach bug. To be honest I didn't wash my hands every time I handled them and I was the primary person touching them. I handled them a lot because I was really curious about chicks. It was real bad, felt like i was going to die. I suspect Salmonella. I had 2 days of strong stomach discomfort (felt like a rock was in my stomach). Extreme weakness and fever. I slept for 10 hours straight. I guess it moved down to my intestines because I had 2 more days of straight water diarrhea (sorry for being graphic) every 15 minutes. I'm young, so it didn't last very long (Friday to Sunday). But It packed a powerful punch. Today I think I'm in top shape.

I strongly suspect it's the chicks because when researching how clinicians deal with stomach bugs, they ask the patient if they got a "new pet". They talk about salmonella etc..

So here's my question and main point. I did do some research as to how to spot salmonella in chicks and there's not much. It simply says if they have blue eyes and they act lethargic etc... But I also read that you can't tell. So I did research on how to "clear up" an infection of salmonella in your flock of chicks and I can't find any information. I have a large bottle of Amoxicillin 500mg. I'm thinking if I were to break open a capsule and put it in their water dish, but I don't know if that's correct.

I also suspect that like in humans it will clear up on it's own, is that correct? What other viruses/pathogens can humans get from chickens? Also these came from TSC, as I understand they were inoculated usually from the hatchery ?

I fully agree with SueT, you most likely got Salmonella from the chicks due to you not washing your hands. With raising really any farm animal, you should always enforce cleanliness to your family and yourself so you or your loved ones dont get sick.
I dont have any experience with my flock having salmonella, if they did I probably missed it, but my opinion is that you should just leave it be. Chickens are remarkable when it comes to healing, in my experience with wounds and some diseases you really dont have to do anything and they'll just work it out themselves.
From what I heard from an adult (I dont know if this is correct and I cant seem to find anything about this online) that every living being has just a tiny bit of salmonella in them at every time, you're just immune to the specific salmonella in your body and if another living being's salmonella is transferred to you orally, you will get sick. Chickens are known for having salmonella but only in rare cases does it make them sick. I just suggest trying to be cleaner when you're done working with the chicks and enforcing the rule with your family to wash their hands after handling the chicks.
Glad you're feeling better and good luck with your chicks