Salmonella poisoning is a scary thought for anyone raising backyard chickens, and trust me, I’ve been there — and Rosemary and I are wrinkling our noses at the thought!
We’ve all heard horror stories about salmonella outbreaks, and believe it or not, chickens can sometimes be a contributor to this bacteria. But don’t worry—with the right hygiene and egg handling practices, you can easily reduce the risk.
I’m no expert, but as a backyard chicken keeper with access to some great poultry experts, I’m here to explain everything you need to know about Salmonella in a simple, easy-to-understand way.
What is Salmonella?
Let’s start with the basics. Salmonella is a bacteria found in the intestines and feces of animals, including chickens. According to the CDC, Salmonella bacteria cause approximately 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths in the U.S. every year.
While most people recover without any specific treatment, it’s definitely not something you want to risk—especially since Salmonella poisoning can sometimes be severe and even life-threatening.
The symptoms of Salmonella typically include:
Diarrhea
Fever
Stomach cramps
These symptoms usually appear 6 hours to 6 days after infection and can last for 4 to 7 days. While most people get better on their own, in severe cases, hospitalization might be required, especially for children under 5, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. These groups are at a higher risk because their bodies are less capable of fighting off the infection.
So, if you have young children or elderly family members handling your flock, make sure they’re taking extra precautions.
How Does Salmonella Affect Backyard Chicken Keepers?
As chicken keepers, it’s important to understand that while your flock can carry Salmonella, there are many simple ways to prevent infection. Salmonella doesn’t usually harm your chickens—most birds won’t show any symptoms—but they can pass the bacteria through their feces. That’s why hygiene and egg safety are so crucial.
If you’re raising backyard chickens, you might be wondering: Does this mean we can’t let our kids help with the flock? Not at all! Our kids were heavily involved in raising chickens, even from a young age, and it’s a great way to teach responsibility. However, young children are more susceptible to Salmonella because they often put their hands in their mouths or touch their faces without thinking. That’s why it’s essential to supervise them and ensure they wash their hands thoroughly after handling chickens or collecting eggs.
5 Key Ways to Prevent Salmonella Poisoning
Now that we understand what Salmonella is, let’s dive into how you can keep your family safe while enjoying your backyard flock. Here are the most important steps to take to prevent Salmonella poisoning:
1. Wash Your Hands—Every Time
This might seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget. Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling chickens, their eggs or anything in the coop is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of Salmonella. And don’t rely solely on hand sanitizer—while it’s helpful in a pinch, it’s no substitute for a good handwashing session. Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in the coop for convenience, but always aim to wash your hands with soap and warm water as soon as possible.
For families with kids, this is especially important. Teach them the importance of handwashing after being around chickens and eggs, and always supervise young children to make sure they do it correctly.
2. Handle Your Chickens Safely
As much as we all love our chickens, it’s best to avoid getting too cozy with them—especially when it comes to cuddling or kissing. Chickens can carry bacteria on their feathers, feet and beaks, so it’s better to keep a safe distance when it comes to affection. Plus, remember that your birds should stay out of areas where you prepare or store food, like the kitchen.
Another great tip is to have a dedicated pair of shoes for tending to your chickens. Keep those shoes outside the house to avoid tracking any bacteria indoors. If you handle anything in the coop—like waterers, feeders or bedding—be sure to wash those items with hot, soapy water and, if possible, clean them outdoors to keep your home bacteria-free.
And don’t forget to keep your chicken coop clean. Regularly clean out old bedding and droppings to reduce the risk of bacteria building up. Products like Coop Recuperate can help maintain a healthier, cleaner coop environment for your flock.
3. Supervise Children Around Chickens
While it’s great to get kids involved in raising chickens, it’s essential to supervise them closely. Young children may not know how to handle chickens safely, which can lead to accidental injuries for both the chickens and your kids. Make sure they know how to handle chickens gently and always wash their hands thoroughly before and after being with the flock.
If you’re worried about letting your little ones handle chickens, focus on other ways they can help, like collecting eggs, filling feeders or helping with coop cleaning under supervision. This way, they can still feel involved without as much risk.
4. Practice Proper Egg Handling and Safety
Eggs can be a source of Salmonella, so handling them safely is key to protecting your family. Here are some important tips:
Collect eggs frequently: Eggs left in the nest for too long can get dirty or cracked, increasing the risk of bacteria.
Discard cracked eggs: Even if it’s tempting to keep them, cracked eggs are more likely to become contaminated with bacteria. When in doubt, throw it out!
Clean dirty eggs carefully: If your eggs have dirt or debris on them, clean them using fine sandpaper, a brush or a cloth. Avoid using cold water, as it can pull bacteria into the egg.
Refrigerate eggs after cleaning them: If you wash your eggs, it’s important to store them in the fridge afterward to keep them safe.
For those who enjoy eating raw or undercooked eggs, it’s important to remember that they may contain Salmonella bacteria, so take extra precautions to avoid illness.
5. Keep Your Coop Clean
A clean coop is a healthy coop! To reduce the risk of Salmonella spreading through your flock, make sure to regularly clean out bedding, droppings and any debris that can harbor bacteria. Using a product like Coop Recuperate can help maintain a cleaner environment and reduce the risk of infection.
Keeping your coop clean also ensures your chickens are less likely to come into contact with harmful bacteria in the first place, which can reduce the risk of them passing it on through their eggs.
Final Thoughts on Salmonella
Raising backyard chickens is a rewarding and fun experience, but it comes with some responsibilities—like preventing Salmonella poisoning. By practicing good hygiene, handling eggs properly and keeping your coop clean, you can enjoy all the benefits of fresh eggs and happy chickens without the worry of harmful bacteria.
Remember, it all starts with washing your hands and paying attention to how you interact with your flock.
Until next time,
– The Wing Lady.
P.S. Interested in learning more about egg safety? Check out this short video for everything else you need to know about eggs!
Coop Recuperate - Freshen Up Your Chicken Coop Coop Recuperate is a safe and natural way to care for your coop. This coop refresher contains organic eucalyptus and lemongrass essential oil, along with diatomaceous earth to reduce odor and moisture and help improve the quality of your compost.
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