Risks to Human Children?

[kcfuerst]

I handle all my dozen babies daily; at night they get hugs and kisses. I don't always remember to wash my hands....I've never gotten sick. Ditto for my 3.5 year old grandson who also loves to play with the hens and look for "easter eggs". I would not hesitate for one minute to lick all my birds from beak to buns they're that clean.

Keeping your birds clean is probably one of the simplest things to do. If you follow a rigid program of coop cleanliness you won't have a thing to worry about. And your babies will be grateful....human and feathered!

Enjoy your birds!

 

[ozark hen]

You are my kind of momma! What cuties. My Lucy came in the house long after the rest of the chickens went to bed and watched t.v. and checked on DH who was taking a shower before she retired for the night.

 

[millicent]

i would be far more concerned about the cat (they DO lick themselves clean) and the dog (she eats the dead things, and her own poo) than the chickens. my two small children handle the girls all the time (even my baby pets them on occasion) and they have not yet contracted the dreaded 'chicken disease'
handwashing is the key!

 

[Jsto]

This thread just reminds me of something I read the other day on the tractor supply website. There was some article and the first sentence was 'DO NOT KISS OR SNUGGLE YOUR CHICKENS!' Whoever wrote it would have a field day with me. I snuggle each and every one of them.

To be honest, my chickens are incredibly clean and clean smelling (aside from when the step in a bit of poop, like I mentioned earlier). I was really good about washing hands when they were young because I was so worried I'd transfer something to them. Now I do it if I think about it. The little boy I work with has to wash before and after ALWAYS, though. Mainly because he is not my child.

I say, get the chicks and have fun with them!

 

[Patch&Phoebe]

In one of my "proud parenting moments" my 13 month old daughter ate chicken poop. Delightfully, gleefully ate chicken poop. I cleaned out her mouth, gave her a drink, looked it up best I could on the web, and waited for the onslaught of symptoms to start - nothing, she's just fine. Not that I'd like it to happen again, but things happen - and very quickly too! The joy we've gotten so far on a daily basis has been really amazing. Our chickens have really been a wonderful addition to our family.

 

[ozark hen]

I remember a time when my neighbor was weeding her flower garden and looked at her toddler who had a piece of a worm sticking out of her mouth. She freaked and gave the child lots of kool ade to drink that day. LOL

No ill effects resulted in the 'city toddler' snack.

 

[silkiechicken]

Haha, that's great. Things kids put in their mouths. Wonder what they are thinking. "That looks like chocolate!" *reaches for cecal poo*

Ewww. hahaha

 

[bantymum]

Sorry guavacoop, I cant think of any websites that relate to zoonosis (transferable disease) perhaps google "zoonosis"
Let us know how you go with getting chickens!

 

[aran]

as gross as this will sound to you all it is correct..there is a condition which is called ptsittacosis which can most definitely be transferred from bird to human. I have seen it and treated it.
It is caused by Chlamydia psittaci which is a bacteria. Infected birds may or may not display symptoms...ie they may be symptomatic or be assymptomatic carriers. I have to say in most of the cases of this disease that i have seen it has been in pigeon or parrot fanciers and typically the ppl are either older or are immune-suppressed in one way or another. The illness is fort the most part treatable but can leave the patient with some long lasting lung complaints. In rare cases it can be fatal due to cardiac and CNS involvement ( central nervous system).


For this reason I would really recommend as much fun as it is that you guys do not snuggle the birds up to your faces and that everyone especially with kids washes their hands with a good quality antibacterial soap/solution after touching the birds.

Im sure there are those among you who are saying that I am speaking nonsense or that this is an over-reaction or whatever...trust me I have seen ppl die from this. The illness can range from a mild fever and flu type illness through to severe pneumonia, fulminant respiratory failure, and death.

 

[aran]

sorry most importantly is to have heaps of ventilation and if you are cleaning out the coop make sure you wear a mask...particularly important as aeosolized fecal material can be inhaled if you are sweeping and creating a dust cloud. You can pick these masks up for under $10/box at any medical supply company.