Is it OK to hold my chicks?

[Farmgirl1000]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if it is OK to hold my new chicks. My friend was telling me yesterday I should not hold them while they are little, because they carry salmonella.

thanks!

farmgirl

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The chances of an immunity healthy adult contracting salmonella from a chick are so slight that it is pretty much a non-issue -- possible, yes, but so highly improbable. If you practice good hygiene (as you should anyway) with handwashing and no hands to face in between chicks and washing, there is no bigger risk of infection from the chicks than from any one of the other environmental risks you encounter every day.

 

[iwiw60]

Oh...rubbish! Pick them up and love on them!!

 

[Farmgirl1000]

Oh...rubbish! Pick them up and love on them!!

lol ,

 

[ml143333]

We hold ours all the time and we got them when they were four days old. I have read here that it is best to hold them and love on them so they are well socialized when it comes to laying and retrieving eggs. Plus I have found that I might have a chick addiction because they are so darn cute. All of ours definitely have their own personalities.

Big Momma is our Leghorn and she seems to be the momma of the bunch. The little ones still come and huddle under her when they all lay down.

Blossom is our littlest chick and is a RIR. She is sweet and likes to give kisses.

Tiger is one of the Plymouth Rocks. She seems to be the instigator and gets the others riled up.

Have fun with your babies.