safe handling

practicesAn increasing number of people around the country are choosing to keep live poultry, such as chickens or ducks, as part of a greener, healthier lifestyle. While you enjoy the benefits of backyard chickens and other poultry, it is important to consider the risk of illness, especially for children, which can result from handling live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam.Live poultry, such as chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys, often carry harmful germs called Salmonella. After you touch a bird, or anything in the area where they live and roam, wash your hands so you don’t get sick!

What is the risk of getting Salmonella from live poultry?

It’s common for chickens, ducks, and other poultry to carry Salmonella. Salmonella is a type of germ that naturally lives in the intestines of poultry and many other animals. Even organically fed poultry can have Salmonella. While it usually doesn’t make the birds sick, Salmonella can cause serious illness when it is passed to people.

How do people get Salmonella infections from live poultry?

Live poultry may have Salmonella germs in their droppings and on their bodies (feathers, feet, and beaks) even when they appear healthy and clean. The germs can also get on cages, coops, feed and water dishes, 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 or work or play where they live and roam.People become infected with Salmonella when they put their hands or other things that have been in contact with feces in or around their mouth. Young children are especially at risk for illness because their immune systems are still developing and because they are more likely than others to

put their fingers or other items into their mouths. It is important to wash hands immediately after touching poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam, because the germs on your hands can easily spread to other people or things.

How do I reduce the risk of a Salmonella infection from live poultry?

DO:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam. 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.

- If you collect eggs from the hens, thoroughly cook them, as Salmonella can pass from healthy looking hens into the interior of normal looking eggs.

- Clean any equipment or materials associated with raising or caring for live poultry outside the house, such as cages or feed or water containers.

• If you have free-roaming live poultry, assume where they live and roam is contaminated

DON’T:

• Don’t let children younger than 5 years of age, older adults, or people with weak immune systems handle or touch chicks, ducklings, or other live poultry.

• Don’t eat or drink in the area where the birds live or roam.

• Don’t let live poultry inside the house, in bathrooms, or especially in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored, such as kitchens or outdoor patios.

SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION COURTESY OF THE CDC.FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 1-800-CDC-INFO OR VISIT CDC.gov

FAMILY AND FLOCK HEALTH

Follow these simple tips to help keep family and birds

safe and healthy.

you are the best

protection your

birds have.

Raising backyard poultry is a fun and rewarding experience for a variety of reasons. Whether you are interested in poultry as a local food source, for school projects, showing at the fair or for the pure enjoyment birds provide, every poultry owner must educate themselves on simple steps they can take to avoid common issues. While keeping backyard poultry continues to rise in popularity, so does the exposure to potential health risks. By adopting some very simple guidelines around your poultry-keeping routines, you can minimize these risks for your birds and your family. Here are a few tips to get you started correctly:• Buy chickens from a reputable dealer

that participates in the National Poultry Improvement Plan, NPIP. (All hatcheries supplying Tractor Supply Company participate.)

• Keep new chickens quarantined for 30 days before adding to an existing flock.

• Wash your hands before and after handling poultry.

• Chickens should be quarantined immediately if they show any signs of sickness.

biosecurity tips

Backyard Biosecurity Backyard Biosecurity means doing everything you can to protect your birds from disease. As a bird owner, keeping your birds healthy is a top priority. Your birds can become sick or die from exposure to a few unseen germs.

Protect Your Birds. If you follow these basic tips and make them part of your routine, you reduce the risk of disease entering your flock through contaminated soil, droppings and debris. Practicing backyard biosecurity is an investment in the health of your birds.

1. Keep Your Distance.

Restrict access to your property and your birds. Consider fencing off the area where you keep your birds and make a barrier area if possible. Allow only people who take care of your birds to come into contact with them. If visitors have birds of their own, do not let them near your birds. Game birds and migratory waterfowl should not have contact with your flock because they can carry germs and diseases.2. Keep It Clean.

Wear clean clothes, scrub your shoes with disinfectant, and wash your hands thoroughly before entering your bird area. Clean cages and change food and water daily. Clean and disinfect equipment that comes in contact with your birds or their droppings, including cages and tools. Remove droppings before disinfecting. Properly dispose of dead birds.3. Don’t Haul Disease Home.

If you have been near other birds or bird owners, such as at a feed store, clean and disinfect car and truck tires, poultry cages, and equipment before going home. Have your birds been to a fair or exhibition? Keep them separated from the rest of your flock for at least 2 weeks after the event. New birds should be kept separate from your flock for at least 30 days.

4. Don’t Borrow Disease From Your Neighbor.

Do not share lawn and garden equipment, tools, or poultry supplies with your neighbors or other bird owners. If you do bring these items home, clean and disinfect them before they reach your property.

5. Know the Warning Signs of Infectious Bird Diseases.

• Sudden increase in bird deaths in your flock• Sneezing, gasping for air, coughing, and

nasal discharge• Watery and green diarrhea• Lack of energy and poor appetite• Drop in egg production or soft- or thin-shelled

misshapen eggs• Swelling around the eyes, neck, and head• Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs,

and legs (AI-Avian Influenza)• Tremors, drooping wings, circling, twisting of the

head and neck, or lack of movement (END-Exotic Newcastle Disease)

Early detection is important to prevent the spread of disease.6. Report Sick Birds.

Don’t wait. If your birds are sick or dying, call your local cooperative extension office, local veterinarian, the State Veterinarian, or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Veterinary Services office to find out why. USDA operates a toll-free hotline (1–866–536–7593) with veterinarians to help you. There is no charge for this service.

biosecurity information courtesy of USDA APHIS.

For more information, visit: HealthyBirds.APHIS.USDA.gov