Chickens
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched - Aesop
image by: Meghan Newell
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Salmonella, the CDC and Handling Pet Chickens
We have always advised practicing good biosecurity with your birds. When you handle them, make sure to wash your hands—make especially sure your children wash their hands. Baby chicks look like adorable, kissable little fluff balls… but of course they are walking and pecking around in poopy litter. Erg.
While backyard pet chickens are not the “disgusting, dirty birds” commercial hens in battery cages are forced to be—battery hens live their lives in about the same space as a sheet of notebook paper, unable to ever stretch their wings—pet chickens carry germs just like pet cats and pet dogs do.
The CDC is blaming a recent salmonella outbreak on backyard poultry owners’ affection…
Resources
The Chicken Whisperer: virulent Newcastle disease and vaccination – what you need to know
Since virulent Newcastle disease is not endemic to the United States, Gallardo and Schneider believe educating poultry keepers about the disease and biosecurity measures they can take are the best methods for preventing future outbreaks. There isn’t the need to vaccinate prophylactically. However, the outbreak in Southern California presents a very difficult case.
Don't Get Too Close To Your Chickens, Ducks And Geese
Don't snuggle with chickens, ducks or geese. I know what you are thinking: There go your weekend plans. But you're not alone.
Are Backyard Chicken Coops Causing Salmonella Outbreaks?
The Center for Disease Control says that the growing number of people raising chickens for fresh eggs in their own backyards has caused a nationwide Salmonella outbreak.
Backyard Chickens Linked To Record High In Salmonella Infections, CDC Says
You don't need us to tell you that backyard chickens have become an urban (and suburban) obsession.
Backyard chickens — less healthy than you think?
Backyard chickens may not live as good of a life as most people think. Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have found backyard chickens are more likely than chickens on commercial chicken farms to be infested by ectoparasites, which are parasites such as fleas, lice and mites that live on the exterior of an organism.
How to Avoid Salmonella With Chicken
The young and old, or those with auto-immune disorders, are especially at risk of being more seriously affected by salmonella. You can prevent salmonellosis by taking these simple steps.
How to Keep Hens Healthy; 5 Fantastic Ways!
Healthy hens are happy hens and happy hens, well, they’re just great fun! Having a small backyard flock of chickens can bring much joy into your life. Chickens are delightful creatures who will entertain you with their antics and endear themselves to you. They’re easy to care for and by spending a little time each day tending to their needs and taking stock of your flock, you will be rewarded with some fine feathery friends.
Salmonella: Blame the Hatcheries, Not the Chickens
My Pet Chicken: “[P]resuming your coop is clean and roomy and you provide fresh food and water for them at all times, it is doubtful your home flock would contract salmonella.”
Salmonella, the CDC and Handling Pet Chickens
The CDC is blaming a recent salmonella outbreak on backyard poultry owners’ affection for their birds. We find some of their advice a little disingenuous, though.
20 Convincing Reasons To Keep Backyard Chickens
The trend of keeping backyard chickens has been on the rise over the past number of years, and it’s easy to see why. Of course, there are the fresh eggs to look forward to, but did you know that chickens have a lot else going for them? From free therapy to learning about self-sustainability, here are 20 great reasons to keep your own backyard chickens:
9 Reasons To Raise Backyard Chickens
Although some rear backyard chickens for meat, the majority are raising chickens for other purposes. In fact, those who own backyard chickens tend to become fairly attached, building a positive partnership. If you have some extra space, here’s why you should invite some chickens into your backyard.
Backyard Chickens
The growth in the trend toward raising backyard chickens and the quantity and quality of information gathered on the site have greatly exceeded any of the original expectations.
My Pet Chicken
Backyard chickens are rewarding and easy to keep! We offer everything you need to get started including baby chicks, fertile hatching eggs, chicken coops and supplies, plus free "how to" information.
CDC
Owning backyard chickens and other poultry can be a great experience. However, children and other groups of people have a greater chance of illness from handling live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam. Even handling baby birds displayed at stores can cause a Salmonella infection.
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