Rearing backyard chickens carries some zoonotic concerns and potential risk for the birds being exposed to chemicals or heavy metals like lead. These can get passed on to consumers through eggs or meat. Birds may pick up lead from various sources, such as contaminated water and feed. But, the main source of lead exposure for backyard poultry is likely contaminated soil.
Clinical signs of lead toxicosis in chickens are not well-described, making early diagnosis challenging.” Radford G. Davis, DVM, MPH, DACVPM
Source: Clinician’s Brief, August 2019. Link. Key pearls to put into practice with chicken owners:
- Owners of backyard chickens should be educated about potential sources of lead exposure for their chickens, particularly the threat posed by paint on older buildings on the premises.
- Owners should be encouraged to test their soil and other environmental samples for lead prior to obtaining birds.
- Owners should consider periodic monitoring of lead levels in their birds and eggs.
- The lack of characteristic clinical signs or postmortem lesions in chickens with lead toxicosis presents a significant challenge for early detection and diagnosis in the absence of routine lead screening.
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