Is it safe to pick up chicken poo?

[Chickadee11]

How careful should I be when handling the chicken poo? Are gloves required? Or is it ok to pick them up with bare hands and give them a good wash afterwards?

 

[kidarcy]

my question is why? i'd use shovel.....bared handed seriously, lol

 

[cassie]

If you are cleaning out the pen, use a shovel. If you come into contact with it like on an egg or something, or accidentally touch it, just wash your hands before touching your face or mouth. It isn't toxic waste, but just use a little common sense.

 

[Chickadee11]

Well I've only got 3 and it's quick to grab the poo and the surrounding wood chips. I mainly use a dust pan and brush but those odd extra ones I just want to get rid of as I see them. I obviously wouldn't do that with a dog poo as its hazardous, but how much respect does chicken poo need??

 

[cafarmgirl]

I'm sorry, that just really gave me a laugh this morning! I just can't quite picture someone going around, carefully picking up individual chicken poops with their fingers!

And what about the ones that are just a little, brown puddle? Definitely not going to work with those!

But in all seriousness, I just use a rake or broom to sweep in all up and then pick it up with a shovel or a manure rake. I just never occured to me to actually handle what my critters leave for me on the barn floor. And, speaking of dog poop, I once got a pup from a man who picked up the pup's poop with bare hands! Again,

 

[cary 1973]

i have kleenex in my pockets at all times due to my allergeys so if i see a hard one i use a kleenex or tissue of some sort to pick it up and wash my ahnd after words but if your comfy using bear hands go ahead make sure you wash your hand but rember poo is poo no matter what it comes out of.

 

[Going Quackers]

Um, for the run i use a small rake and shovel, for the coop i have gloves not really interested in smearing it on my hands.. since i only have 4 i pick up droppings every day in the coop so i don't need anything more than my hands.

and by the way i have no fear of droppings or anything close, i have been covered in enough of it over the years from all sorts of things but i like not having it up my fingernails( i keep them long) so hence the use of gloves for the coop cleaning.

 

[Deebsra]

I know that the only feces that is harmful to handle because it contains germs that can cause infections to humans are: human, pig, cat & dog. So I'd say as long as you wash your hands right after you'd be fine. And no, you aren't gross.

 

[ibarbidahl]

Deebsra - You may want to do a little research there. You are incorrect. All feces carries germs that can infect humans. Including worms, staph, entereococci, other gastroenteritis infections as well as general poisons like arsenic. Heck, the rat brought us the bubonic plague.

To each their own, but be aware that you don't even have to touch your face/mouth to catch worms. Hygiene is more that just washing your hands. (Though very important of course)

How you clean up your chickens feces is your decision but make sure your chickens are cleaned up after. THAT is the most important part. ;-)

 

[NYREDS]

I'm not real squeamish. Don't panic if I get some manure on my hands. That said, I've never felt the urge to clean my pens with my hands. I prefer to use a shovel.