I think my chicks made me very sick

[Henry&Friends]

I came down with a bad stomach virus (or not) for 2 days last week, terrible diarrhea and stomach pains that would come and go. The chicks brooder is in my bedroom closet, could they have been the source? It’s cleared up now, for the most part, thanks to pepto bismol & toughing it out (not recommended, every squat was a gamble) Now I guess I’ll wash more thoroughly after handling them

 

[PirateGirl]

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.

This. Chickens can carry it, but it doesn't make the chickens sick so there isn't a medication specifically designed to eradicate it in the chickens. It is the same with turtles, which is why they are not permitted to be sold as pets some places. As others have mentioned, hand washing is key. It's not really an airborne thing, so if the brooder is in your home and you are breathing in the air, it won't make you sick that way. You really have to ingest it for it to be a problem, so washing hands before you eat anything every time. This is great to teach your kids as well, hand washing before eating is never a bad thing. Hand washing after handling the animals is an added bonus. Depending on the age of the kids they tend to touch lots of things, lick their fingers, put their hands and other objects in their mouths and that can be more a problem. Glad you are doing better. Good luck with the kiddos.

 

[Chickassan]

Put a bottle of hand sanitizer next to your brooder and one in your coop...it will save you soooo much toilet paper money!

 

[steppinthrax]

Guys, how about this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bird-Sulfa...671710&hash=item33ebc2dc27:g:i3gAAOSwjh5bDv3B

Looks like you put a capsule in every 8 oz of water.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

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.

Guys, how about this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bird-Sulfa...671710&hash=item33ebc2dc27:g:i3gAAOSwjh5bDv3B

Looks like you put a capsule in every 8 oz of water.

Where did the chicks come from?
It would be better to have some testing performed that to treat something that they may not have.
Ask you state lab how to submit a fecal sample for testing.

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/130/salmonella-gallinarum-fowl-typhoid/

 

[IamRainey]

I never noticed any disease or discomfort in my chickens. I think it's something they can live with very well. It just gives our digestive systems a thorough Roto Rooting before we get accustomed to it.

Really! Relax and feel as well as you can until it's over. It's probably going to pass never to occur again. But do consult a doctor if you really don't feel up to it.

 

[HeartsDelight]

I've been clinically diagnosed with salmonella a few years ago--got it handling reptiles when I worked at a pet store, it was my own fault--and yeah, your symptoms sound very much like mine.

Just practice good handwashing or use sanitizer *every* time you handle birds, eggs, or equipment and you should be fine.

Changing pooped-in water is the single most likely point of infection, in my experience. Be extra careful with that.

 

[Mosey2003]

I don't think you can treat it in the chickens. Don't go giving them antibiotics for it, anyway. You'll do more harm than good, and they're going to keep carrying salmonella regardless.

Just practice better habits after touching the birds

 

[PirateGirl]

I've been clinically diagnosed with salmonella a few years ago--got it handling reptiles when I worked at a pet store, it was my own fault--and yeah, your symptoms sound very much like mine.

Just practice good handwashing or use sanitizer *every* time you handle birds, eggs, or equipment and you should be fine.

Changing pooped-in water is the single most likely point of infection, in my experience. Be extra careful with that.

This brings up another health point... don't change your chicken water in your kitchen sink where you wash your own dishes, don't wash it with the same sponge or brush that you use on your own dishes either. Poop water has a way of always splattering on something it shouldn't be on. I try to make a point to either use the outside spigot or the bath tub in my home.

 

[Jessicanesh]

If you wash your hands after wiping your butt why wouldn’t you wash your hands after handling any pet? They walk in their faces and some dogs even roll around in it for some weird reason. Dogs and cats lick their butts when they bathe and most people will let the pets give them kisses on the face. I’m not OCD or a germaphobe but I do wash after handling any animal!