Salmonella Warning....it's no pick nick

[justusnak]

I just wanted to say....I am so sorry for you getting sick. I am so worried now, with all the new birds we have gotten this year. UGH! I cant afford to get sick...I get pneumonia once a year, that puts me in the hospital...and every year, it gets harder to get over. I cant imagine makeing it through something that horrible! Sigh...i love my chickens, and wont get rid of the,...but now I am worried.

 

[2mnypets]

Well obviously we should all be using good hand washing techniques. Hand sanitizer should also be available. Choose shoes that will be used solely for coop use. Keeping the chickens happy and not stressed will also keep everyone healthy.

We have a window A/C unit that my husband mounted in the wall. The CDC and local health department said that probably is what saved my flock from being destroyed. The cooler the temps in the coop, the less chance of bacteria to form. Less stressed chickens keeps their immunity up as well.

Once a week, totally clean out your coop and burn all straw, hay or bedding if there is a question in your mind. Better to be safe than sorry.

Try to avoid tempation of cuddeling your chicks or chickens close to your face. Ensure you wash your clothes that you used in or around the coop separately from the rest of your laundry.

Last but not least, know your birds. Study them, learn their personalities and act upon your gut instinct when you think something is just not right.

 

[wendy]

Quote:
don't make yourself worry to much over it. she brought up some good points, wash your hands before and after you go to your chickens and coop every time! and have shoes only for the coop. that is what i do and what was recommended in a book i bought too on raising healthy chickens and flock.

 

[2mnypets]

I didn't want to scare anyone, but I wanted to share knowledge. Sometimes ignorance is not bliss. The chances of you having any problems are probably remote, but I can tell you that Tetracycline is a broad spectrum ATB that treats Salmonella in chickens. That is what my birds are on right now. You can find the ATB powder at your farm store and it's about $5-$6. Well worth to have on hand just in case.

 

[peepsnbunnies]

OMG you have been through such a terrible trauma! Our thoughts and prayers are with you for a speed recovery and we pray you can keep your gallbladder intact!

Thank you ever so much for the reality check! I am sure that myself and most everyone on here has cut corners a few times in the course of our busy lives and didn't follow all of the safety practices we have been taught. Your story will make me think next time. Blessings to you.

Lisa

 

[PurpleChicken]

Your answers are appreciated and really needed. Unfortunately your case is almost the
"worse case scenario" for salmonella. I can tell your a nurse from your writing.

Your doing everyone a service here. We need to know about potential threats
to our families and our flocks. Chickens CAN carry pathogens although so can
anything. I believe my chickens are cleaner than the average outdoor cat.


Excellent link:
http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00044/id41.htm

My wife developed a Campylobacter infection this year. She's a med-tech
and nursing student and works at a hospital. She was hospitilized and went
through many of the same tests you went thorugh. Luckily it only took
4 days to eventually diagnose so we were lucky. She couldn't work for weeks and
had to speak with the local health department. WE HAD JUST GOTTEN AN ORDER OF
CHICKS FROM A HATCHERY 7 DAYS BEFORE SHE DEVELOPED SYMPTOMS. Cooncidence?
The health department, hospital personel, and several doctors all rulled out
the chickens and we were'nt even asked to have them tested. Hmmmm.
My son and I never got sick and we handle the chickens A LOT.

80% of todays processed chicken has salmonella or other pathogens. The
statistics on other foods are even worse. I'm gonna go give my chicken a kiss
and not worry at all about it. I just won't kiss a strange chicken.

But seriously, get better soon!!!

 

[thndrdancr]

2mny,

When you say know your chickens and watch them, may I ask what symptoms they have/had or was there any indication? Anything we specific we should look for? That kind of thing?

I know my mom had a fit when I brought mine home, cuz the very next day they had a "dont buy chicks, cuz many carry salmonella" warning...

Thanks for sharing and hope you get better soon.

Jill

 

[dlhunicorn]

VIRKON-S
http://www.antecint.co.uk/main/virkwood.htm

http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/15708826

I use regularly (not to "sanitize" as that removes ALL and will not occur in a coop setting), but just to keep the coop and such from being overloaded... I also mist my chicks the first week and mama hen when she is sitting eggs...

 

[joanm]

Please forgive my ignorance, but do you get this from sick birds only?

 

[crazy4daisy]

Wow, hope you get better and thank you for telling us. Since reading your post, I have selected one pair of shoes for the coop only, and am planning on upping my already strict sanitizing rules. Again, thanks and hope you feel better.