A friend of mine who also raises chickens told me that he and his roommate were suffering from scabies that were transmitted by their chickens according to their medical doctor.
I have researched this subject on the internet and there seems to be a controversy on this subject involving both medical doctors and veterinarians.
I have been raising chickens since 2005 and nobody who has been in contact with my chickens (who are free range) has had any itching or breakout problems. I have bought chickens from auctions, other farmers, mail order and from the feed stores as chicks and/or adults; so, my chickens have been exposed to variety of conditions before I acquired them. I have had to treat my dogs for intense itching or hot spots, but never my chickens or my family.
By the way, I have visited my friends in their home and not come home itching.
I have had Ameraucanas, leghorns, top hats, RIRs sex links, Plymouth or Barred Rocks, Barnvelders, Orpingtons, Cuckoo Marans, Wyandottes, Australorps and Cochins. I have also raised geese, turkeys and a variety of ducks. They, like people have personalities and we have managed to spoil a large number of them. They all live a free range life during the day and are closed in at night due to predation. When we feed and turn loose these little buggers so that they can forage on our lawns and fields, we get a variety of sounds from the various birds. Nearing nightfall, all we have to do is leave the house and head for their enclosure and they come running to go to bed for the night. A number of our birds actually bed down in the trees and bushes around my house rather than be put away in the enclosure. It is nothing to see one of us sitting there with a chicken or two adorning our body because she wants to feel "special".
Some of them like to eat from your hand and some of them like to try to remove the buttons from your clothing. If you are brave enough to walk in the yard with flip flops, you might get your toes pecked.
We get met by a flock when we drive up and have to be crafty when we leave as they will try to follow the car. In real inclement weather, they will gather on my porch to get out of the rain. They are so tame, they are not inclined to get off the porch if we open the door to look out. Occasionally, a chicken will be brave enough to enter the house if we hold the front door open too long. The birds will antagonize our cats; but will give the dogs a wide berth.
I have researched this subject on the internet and there seems to be a controversy on this subject involving both medical doctors and veterinarians.
I have been raising chickens since 2005 and nobody who has been in contact with my chickens (who are free range) has had any itching or breakout problems. I have bought chickens from auctions, other farmers, mail order and from the feed stores as chicks and/or adults; so, my chickens have been exposed to variety of conditions before I acquired them. I have had to treat my dogs for intense itching or hot spots, but never my chickens or my family.
By the way, I have visited my friends in their home and not come home itching.
I have had Ameraucanas, leghorns, top hats, RIRs sex links, Plymouth or Barred Rocks, Barnvelders, Orpingtons, Cuckoo Marans, Wyandottes, Australorps and Cochins. I have also raised geese, turkeys and a variety of ducks. They, like people have personalities and we have managed to spoil a large number of them. They all live a free range life during the day and are closed in at night due to predation. When we feed and turn loose these little buggers so that they can forage on our lawns and fields, we get a variety of sounds from the various birds. Nearing nightfall, all we have to do is leave the house and head for their enclosure and they come running to go to bed for the night. A number of our birds actually bed down in the trees and bushes around my house rather than be put away in the enclosure. It is nothing to see one of us sitting there with a chicken or two adorning our body because she wants to feel "special".
Some of them like to eat from your hand and some of them like to try to remove the buttons from your clothing. If you are brave enough to walk in the yard with flip flops, you might get your toes pecked.
We get met by a flock when we drive up and have to be crafty when we leave as they will try to follow the car. In real inclement weather, they will gather on my porch to get out of the rain. They are so tame, they are not inclined to get off the porch if we open the door to look out. Occasionally, a chicken will be brave enough to enter the house if we hold the front door open too long. The birds will antagonize our cats; but will give the dogs a wide berth.
to have you join the family. Enjoy your time here at BYC! 
