Letting kids handle chicks?!?!?

[gale65]

Quote:
I hate that it's so hard to find non-antibacterial hand soap these days. I make it a point to buy the plain stuff but most of the ones at the store are antibac. I won't buy that stuff. We do use plenty of hand sanitizer though, especially during flu season.

 

[noodleroo]

Just wash your hands, people!

Remember when there was no such thing as hand sanitizer? Soap and warm water work just fine...really. What ever you put on your skin goes into your body, like a sponge absorbs stuff. The bottoms of your feet and the palms of your hands are especially 'absorbant'. Our ansestors used to get an extra dose of minerals from the earth when they gardened with their hands and went barefooted. These days, that may not be such a good idea because of all the toxins that the soil has been innundated with. My point here is, the less toxins anywhere around you, the better off you (and everybody else) are. Leave the hand sanitizer for the bio-weapons people and just use soap and water to wash your hands. Lets don't hijack this thread so if you want some of my natural recipes, PM me and I'll start another thread in 'random ramblings'.

 

[gale65]

We only use hand sanitizer if there isn't water or soap available but it would be nice if the kids didn't have to run in the house every time they pet a chick to wash up before going back outside to play. I'm a germaphobe (diagnosed with anxiety) so sometimes I just need that little bit of extra reassurance. Even if I know that it's not logical, I can't help it. It's a sickness, I guess.

Even having chickens is going to be a big huge giant step for me and I'm sure I'll need to be talked off the ledge from time to time.

I have to admit that when I had them before, I was never worried or careful (I've only been bad w/ the anxiety for about 15 yrs now) and no one ever got sick. I didn't have kids back then though.

 

[Dutchgirl]

When we first got chicks our youngest was 2. Under strict supervision she was allowed to sit with a chick cradled gently in her hand. She and the 5-year-old were not permitted to handle the chicks without permission. We always wash our hands well after touching the chickens, although we don't wash them beforehand. When we're outside, we usually just don't touch our face and we'll be fine until we get inside. I don't think our chickens are sick, but a friend's father nearly died from a bad case of salmonella, and I'm not eager to risk catching it. It's definitely better to wash than to use hand sanitizer, but sometimes we have to hop right in the car after handling the chickens and so we have to use the Germ-X. Now the 2-year-old is 8, and she's allowed to pick up chicks (gently) whenever she likes - unless someone tells her not to.

 

[mcjessen]

Quote:
x2

DD is 8 and was very gentle with the girls when they were little. She's still very gentle with them now at 5 wks.

 

[sjmarshall87]

As long as the girls can be gentle they should be fine.. I have a two year old that loves our chicks.. I have to remind him constantly to be gentle but so far we have been okay

 

[flying_babyb]

we've got a 10 and 11 year old. There really good with the chickens. I DONT let them go in the brooder alone, mostly cause our birds will fly out and the kids cant always catch them. The 11 year old is freaked out by the chickens (no clue why) but the 10 year old is wonderful with them. She feeds them, waters then and comes downstairs daily to hold them or just let them walk all over her. So far, no major pecking has occured (except to me. It kinda sucks that they always attack my hands since I work in childcare and constantly have bandages on my hands)

 

[CowgirlPenny]

My 6.5yr old and 9 year olds love to hold the chicks. When they are small (under two weeks) I don't let the kids stand while they hold them, they must sit. They need to wash their hands before and after they hold them. I show them how to hold so they do not squeeze and how to support them. Now they will be in the coop helping me with the older ones and just pick up a big 11 week old like it's nothing, they are not afraid. I think the sooner...the better.

 

[Squishypuff]

My four year old daughter is very well behaved and has learned how to handle the chicks, so I'm happy with letting her hold them. But, she has to ask, I get the chick out, she sits down and cups her hands and I put the chick in. She's been taught to hold her hands close to her body and to not panic and drop the chick if it flaps it's wings or anything. Now my seven year old... Noooo. He can pet adult chickens when I'm holding them. He's got autism, and his brand of "petting" would really hurt a chick. He knows to look with his eyes, and not his hands. I think it comes down to knowing your kids, and teaching them the rules beforehand.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

I think it has a lot to do with the age of the child, age of the chick, and personality of both.
I have GD who I'd trust with anything anytime. ( seriously-- she has the gift!) Others, under supervision.
Some breeds of chickens are a lot calmer than others. Newborn chicks are pretty fragile. Three week olds are too feisty to be playthings for any but older children. One to two week old chicks are good for most age children to enjoy and not damage.
Know your child and know your chicks and act accordingly. No rule fits all.