To quarantine or not to quarantine...?

[aart]

It scares me too.

X3!

 

[chickengoggles]

Whoa! I was busy for a day, and got a lot of good input, thanks!

I decided on a proper quarantine (sans biohazard suits, haha). Old flock (original two plus five from friend) are in their coop in one building, and free-ranging, and new four from same friend are in a stall inside another building.

To clarify, I originally did do a proper quarantine (first two birds plus group of five) followed by a "see but don't touch".

I guess I just feel better minimizing risks as much as possible. There's also a tack room with hot water and soap that we make use of in the building with new birds.

 

[chickengoggles]

This is not the op original question, but I would like to caution your children from kneeling among the chickens. Their eyes are bright and shiny, and chicken have been know to peck at eyes. It can be quite a thump. Every time I see that picture, it makes me cringe. Your call, but, you might not be aware of the potential problem.

We have cautioned the kids, but I didn't realize kneeling among them was dangerous! They do encouage them to jump in their laps at meal worm time, too, but at that time the chickens don't see anything but the prize. Sounds like that should be a no-no, too?

They could have the birds jump up on a picnic table and stand there to feed their favorites. Would you consider that safe?

Also, our cockerel is a jerk from time to time, and I don't leave them unattended around him, though he mainly just puffs up. I still snatch him up and football him around, or have my son hold him. The younger two hold him on their lap (pointed well away from eyes, and he NEVER pecks anyone in any case).

Are you of the "roosters and children don't belong together under any circumstances" camp? And if so (I ask this in all honesty, I could be convinced to shut him up when they are out) what the heck have farm children over the centuries done?

Thank you all for your help, truly.

 

[chickengoggles]

Hey, did no one catch the chicken math? (Went to pick up three. Brought home four)

 

[ChickenCanoe]

We have cautioned the kids, but I didn't realize kneeling among them was dangerous! They do encouage them to jump in their laps at meal worm time, too, but at that time the chickens don't see anything but the prize. Sounds like that should be a no-no, too?

They could have the birds jump up on a picnic table and stand there to feed their favorites. Would you consider that safe?

Also, our cockerel is a jerk from time to time, and I don't leave them unattended around him, though he mainly just puffs up. I still snatch him up and football him around, or have my son hold him. The younger two hold him on their lap (pointed well away from eyes, and he NEVER pecks anyone in any case).

Are you of the "roosters and children don't belong together under any circumstances" camp? And if so (I ask this in all honesty, I could be convinced to shut him up when they are out) what the heck have farm children over the centuries done?

Thank you all for your help, truly.

I worry about having chicken faces close to human faces. One quick peck and you can lose an eye.
As for the rooster, he is just trying to protect his hens from all comers. They may attack predators and other roosters. Handling the hens too much may be interpreted as the same as another rooster. Also, children tend to run around a lot. That could be interpreted as predation behavior. Encourage your children to move slowly around the birds.
Depending on the situation, separating the rooster from the flock may exacerbate those concerns.

Hey, did no one catch the chicken math? (Went to pick up three. Brought home four)

I'm the last to be judgmental in that regard.
I went to get 6, brought home 10 and in 3 months I had 92

 

[chickengoggles]

I worry about having chicken faces close to human faces. One quick peck and you can lose an eye.
As for the rooster, he is just trying to protect his hens from all comers. They may attack predators and other roosters. Handling the hens too much may be interpreted as the same as another rooster. Also, children tend to run around a lot. That could be interpreted as predation behavior. Encourage your children to move slowly around the birds.
Depending on the situation, separating the rooster from the flock may exacerbate those concerns.

Okay. We will keep faces away from birds to protect eyes. No kneeling and will make sure if they are holding a bird, their faces are far apart.

The rooster is actually much more fond of the children than he is of my husband, hahaha. My eight year old can put him in his lap and he will totally relax. I'll continue to keep a close watch.

I'm the last to be judgmental in that regard.
I went to get 6, brought home 10 and in 3 months I had 92

Oh, you have me beat! Went from 2 to 7 to 11. Think I am done (for now).

 

[chickengoggles]

Somehow my reply about the rooster went in to your quote...?

Anyway, thanks again!

 

[Mrs. K]

It depends on your set up, to have kids with chickens. On farms, chickens are kept away from the house, children don't share a play space with chickens. If your children are sharing a play space and are under the age of 5, then I would not recommend a rooster. One is risking too much with a very small rooster brain. Natural play of children can be very upsetting to a rooster.

If as it sounds you have more of a farm set up, then I would be comfortable with the kids and chickens being around each other, as long as you teach your kids to be aware of the birds. Keeping a respectful distance, and not chasing the birds. It is helpful, and most farms have a place where chickens can be locked up in a run/coop.

I too, am of the camp, keeping your head and face away from a chickens head. I would not feed mine on the table. I feed mine on the ground. While I occasionally handle them, I don't handle them all the time. I like to watch them. I would not encourage them to hold chickens unless they are big enough to as they hold them, they are away from the face.

Mrs K

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Please don't skip the quarantine. I understand that they and some gals in the flock were from the same flock but in the time they all moved disease can happen. I want to make this snappy so, I would highly recommend doing a strict quarantine.

This is not the op original question, but I would like to caution your children from kneeling among the chickens. Their eyes are bright and shiny, and chicken have been know to peck at eyes. It can be quite a thump. Every time I see that picture, it makes me cringe. Your call, but, you might not be aware of the potential problem.

This is incredibly rare. Many of us do kneel. Plus, holding our chickens brings them closer to our eyes, so is that off the table or...

 

[chickengoggles]

It depends on your set up, to have kids with chickens. On farms, chickens are kept away from the house, children don't share a play space with chickens. If your children are sharing a play space and are under the age of 5, then I would not recommend a rooster. One is risking too much with a very small rooster brain. Natural play of children can be very upsetting to a rooster.

If as it sounds you have more of a farm set up, then I would be comfortable with the kids and chickens being around each other, as long as you teach your kids to be aware of the birds. Keeping a respectful distance, and not chasing the birds. It is helpful, and most farms have a place where chickens can be locked up in a run/coop.

I too, am of the camp, keeping your head and face away from a chickens head. I would not feed mine on the table. I feed mine on the ground. While I occasionally handle them, I don't handle them all the time. I like to watch them. I would not encourage them to hold chickens unless they are big enough to as they hold them, they are away from the face.

Mrs K

Oh, good! That is our setup. Our house and yard are at the front of the property and the barns are at the back of the property. The kids don't go out to the barns or the horse fields under any circumstances without me. I know for certain that horses are dangerous though, so I don't take any chances. That's where the chickens are, too.