Pregnant and have chickens

[Love my Critters!]

I just found out my husband and I are expecting out 2nd child. I have never been pregnant while having chickens. Are there any dangers? We all practice safe handling and wash our hands, but I didn't know if there is anything I should avoid like with cats and cleaning the litter box. You aren't even suposed to breathe it. Also I have a hen in the house who has something going on with her eyes. Should I stay away from her or is it okay?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[dichotomymom]

AS long as you're washing your hands and changing your shoes when you come in, I really can't imagine you being in jeopardy. Hystoplasmosis would be my biggest concern and you can always wear a face mask. Talk to your ob to ease your concerns.

 

[EweSheep]

I was pregnant with my daughter when I had chickens and never had a problem. Always wash your hands after handling them and chores. Wear masks when cleaning out coop.

Go for it!

 

[Katy]

I had chickens thru 3 pregnancies and never had a problem. Just be sure and wash your hands like you should anyway, pregnant or not. This is a good time for your hubby to unload the feed bags!! Probably the only time mine did it in 35 years of marriage and chickens!!

 

[patandchickens]

Hah, my suggestion would be the exact opposite of dichotomymom's -- to ease your concerns and stay realistic, DON'T talk to your OB, especially not about chickens

There is a very strong tendency (oddly mostly just in the US and to a lesser extent Canada, not, for instance, nearly so much in the UK or Europe) for doctors to view pregnancy as something abnormal, unusual and unlikely to turn out properly unless you seal yourself into a bubble. As opposed to, you know, pregancy being something that women have done, for hundreds of thousands of years, mostly without any ob/gyns around at all, with surprisingly high success rate

And my observation is that doctors usually regard animals of any kind as being viciously dangerous cesspools of deathly germs with no redeeming value. How many Drs have told people to get rid of their cats or dogs just because they're having a baby? As if that's something a doctor should get a vote on. Harrumph

Anyhow, wash your hands well after handling chickens, that's about it. Honest. Rare risks like listeria or histoplasmosis are EXCEEDINGLY EXCEEDINGLY rare and your chances of getting them from something else are far higher (although still exceedingly small) than getting them from chickens.

If you're still concerned, do a buncha reading and educate yourself about different relative risks, and make YOUR OWN educated decision. It's not your ob/gyn's pregnancy, it's YOURS

And, congratulations!!!!!!

Pat (4 pregnancies, ended up with 2 kids, BIG advocate of midwives

)

 

[zippychickens]

Congratulations on the pregnancy!!! I have no input other than that. Just wanted to say Happy for you!!

 

[Cheekon]

Maybe you can use it as an excuse for your hubby to do all the chicken chores for you?

 

[Cheep Mama]

In my opinion, just wash hands well and wear a mask while cleaning the coop due to the dust and you'll be fine. There have been millions of pregnant women over the years that have fed their chickens and done other farm chores.
Congratulations!!!!! Being a Mother is the best job in the world!!!!