Fifty-two people in 21 states have contracted salmonella from backyard poultry according to the CDC. Five patients have been hospitalized and 28 percent of those sickened by these home-based chicks and ducklings are children under age 5.
Don’t kiss your chickens! < link >
Source: USA Today, May 17, 2019. Link.
Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicate that contact with backyard poultry from multiple hatcheries is the likely source of these outbreaks.” – CDC
Also see: Grackles can expose humans, pets to parasites, Animal Health Digest, October 2, 2018. Link.
Also see: Touch birds. Lather. Rinse. Repeat., Animal Health Digest, March 13, 2018. Link.
INSIGHTS: Educating owners on the risks of backyard chickens, manure management and infection control is critical in the backyard and small coop market segments. Hobbyists are not always fully prepared to manage the impact of adding poultry to their environments. Not only do chickens invite predators, chicken feed is inviting to wild birds, as well. Share this information liberally.