Chickens can be wonderful and fun pets. From the pretty feathers to their ability to lay eggs, it's easy to see why so many people love backyard chickens. However, proper hygiene is very important, not only for your own health, but for the health of the chickens as well. We've compiled some healthy habits here to help you along.
Squeaky Clean Hands Wash, wash, wash those hands!! It's important after leaving your chicken coop or handling your birds to wash your hands with soap and water, to avoid bringing germs into your home. Chickens, while adorable, can carry various communicable diseases. Proper hand washing greatly reduces your chances of either contracting an illness or spreading an illness to other animals and people. When collecting eggs it's important to remember to wipe down the eggs with a damp cloth as cold water is not recognized as a safe practice. James McGregor from Backyard Chicken Zone recommends keeping hand sanitizer near your chicken run and to use it often. He also recommends keeping a bottle in your vehicle to use after you visit the feed store to reduce the chance of bringing home germs to your chickens. A Clean Home It is extremely important that you keep your chickens' home clean too! It is generally recommended that chicken owners clean their chicken runs and coops every one to two weeks. There are a variety of products and methods for cleaning up after your chickens. Backyard Chicken Zone has a great article that contains detailed steps for proper cleaning, you can view it here. Stay tuned for our next blog post to learn more about keeping your chicken coop clean! Work Boots Work boots, muck boots, chicken boots, whichever phrasing you prefer, it's important to have a pair of rubber boots designated just for when you work in your chicken coop. This prevents tracking bacteria into your home and other areas of your yard. Be sure to store these boots outside of your home, so they're ready to use, and the bacteria stays outside. There are also products called "boot washes" that allow you to easily clean your boots easily. Boot washes are a convenient and easy way to maintain hygiene around your chickens and keep them and your family healthy. An Outside Pet While it's okay to love your chickens, it's best to love them outside in their own area. The CDC recommends not bringing the chickens into your home, especially not in areas where food or drink are prepared. It's also best to avoid touching your face and mouth after snuggling up with your chickens. As always, use hand sanitizer and wash your hands with soap and water after you've gotten all your snuggles in. These basic guidelines can help you and your chickens stay healthy and happy. Basic hygiene can prevent many issues not just in your chicken coop, but in your home as well.
9 Comments
11/8/2018 09:07:12 am
This is really helpful for people who aspires to have their own poultry whether as a habit or as a business. Chicken is common staple food in most of the countries in Asia and America. While egg has a high protein content used by people who enjoys a keto diet. It is good that you remind here in your blog to be very extra careful in washing hands to prevent germs and diseases carried by chicken. If ever I will have my own business I also want to put up a poultry business.
Reply
Wrights Iyke
11/19/2018 01:22:07 pm
The importance of the first tip can not be overemphasized. we all love chicken but it takes a healthy person to enjoy that awesome taste in every bite . Washing those hands after handling your backyard birds really go a long way to minimize infections
Reply
James Parker
11/19/2018 02:08:24 pm
The idea of wearing shoes meant alone for the backyard while in the farm is very crucial, people usually neglect this, they watch their kids play in the farm and still wear this shoes in to the house. such things spread contamination and should be prevented. thanks a lot for sharing this post, it is quite enlightening
Reply
Gracy West
11/19/2018 10:32:24 pm
great post! for me that just set up a backyard poultry farm, this quite helpful. the whole experience is just fun...I cant wait to start eating home produced eggs and meat
Reply
Francisca Seth
11/20/2018 03:49:43 pm
Personally, I have issues cleaning the chicken coop I look forward to reading the next blog on how to keep the home of the chicken clean to keep me on track on the right perspective
Reply
Lilian snow
11/20/2018 04:18:00 pm
Totally agree with the post. Boots are just ideal to wear while working on farms on this nature and even beyond .I will like tio get some for my kids who are always eager to join me whenever am at the farm, I just hope to find their size.
Reply
Pamela Johnson
11/21/2018 03:46:00 am
To my greatest surprise my girl, Cheryl love hens as Pets, It takes a whole lot to make her understand that this remains an outside pet. If CDC could make such recommendations then it is alot healthier to keep them outside.
Reply
Ngola Rose
11/21/2018 03:56:59 am
To stay healthy while working growing chickens at the back yard , then washing hands regularly should be priority. Thanks a lot for bringing all these tips to my remembrance.
Reply
6/27/2023 01:21:21 am
As weeks passed by things began settling in and they began seeing one another the man saw that his better half's hair had begun becoming dim and that she had become weak.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
PopWorms!®
|