Salmonella Prevention Tips for Raising Backyard Chickens and Other Poultry
Salmonella and chickens go together as surely as roosters crow at dawn, but many people don't recognize the extent of contamination hazards and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminds families to take precautions while raising backyard chickens and other poultry. In recent years there have been several human Salmonella outbreaks associated with live poultry contact and the outbreaks are especially threatening to children and others whose immune systems are not fully developed or impaired. Salmonella is believed to be responsible for 35 percent of hospitalizations related to foodborne illness and 28 percent of foodborne deaths.
It’s common for chickens, ducks, and other poultry to carry Salmonella bacteria in their intestines, which is then shed in their droppings or feces. Even when the animals appear healthy and clean, the germs can live on their feathers, feet, and beaks. The pathogens also spread to cages, coops, hay, plants, and soil in the area where the birds live and roam. Additionally, the germs can be found on the hands, shoes, and clothing of those who handle the birds, feed them or work or play where they live and roam
Here's a list of live poultry raising precautions urged in a recent posting on CDC's Public Health Matters blog:
- Do not let children younger than 5 years of age handle or touch chicks, ducklings, or other live poultry without supervision.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after touching live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam.
- Avoid touching your mouth before washing your hands. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available.
- Adults should supervise hand washing for young children.
- Wash hands after removing soiled clothes and shoes.
- Do not eat or drink in the area where the birds live or roam.
- Do not let live poultry inside the house or in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored, such as kitchens, pantries, or outdoor patios.
- If you have free-roaming live poultry, assume that where they live and roam is contaminated.
- Clean equipment and materials associated with raising or caring for live poultry, such as cages, feed containers, and water containers, outside the house, not inside.
