I just got 11 chickens and I want to know if they are bad for your health. Some lady told me that they can cause cancer, salmonella, and other diseases. Please give me a source where I can see the info you gave me.
2007-05-20 06:28:56 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
I have raised chickens most of my life (I'm 70) and I seldom get sick. If I have gotten sick it has come from other humans, not chickens. That is some kinda tale. If you don't use common hygiene maybe you would contract something. But I suspect you would wash your hands after cleaning the chicken house!
2007-05-20 06:39:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
For crying out loud, that lady is mean and uneducated! Don't worry, your chickens and you will be just fine. I raised chickens for five years and been close physically to them and their droppings and I'm still alive. Ah, just in case you have forgotten, in the "olden" days practically everyone lived on farms which had chickens. Where would the human race be today if our ancestors dropped dead from being in contact with their chickens?
Realistically wise, it is rare to contact disease/viral/bacterial infections from well looked after chickens. If you are concerned you may contact your nearest Agricultural Society or Environmental Agency to see if there is any bird disease prevalent in your area. Some people vaccinate their chickens. There are some items you can get from any birds, but, it's no different than catching something from your dog or cat, or children and spouse for that matter! Fact is, there is more danger of you getting ill from the food you buy in the grocery store, than in the chicken coop and in direct contact with your chickens.
I found my chickens to be very therapeutic. Relaxing hobby. Enjoy.
P.S. It doesn't hurt to use a mask when you are cleaning out the coop. The dust is just incredible! Your nose and lungs don't need it!
2007-05-20 22:21:10 · answer #2 · answered by Gina F 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can get sick from chickens or any kind of animal, if you are not properly cleaning them. For that matter, the animals would get sick and die along with you. Chances the animals would die first. The avian Influenza is in chicken stock now, and are readily being killed for a reason.
Imported exotic birds were put in quarentine and checked for New Castle disease. Another disease you might want to look up is Pssiticosis , that can be passed from birds to humans.
Just a food for thought!
Good Luck!
2007-05-20 13:53:14 · answer #3 · answered by humor4fms 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chickens causing cancer is poppycock! Salmonella is minutely possible but highly unlikely if you got the chicks from a commertial certified breeder. Beyond that if you live in the chicken house maybe...or if you have a bad feather allergy, but the risk from a small backyard flock is minor.
2007-05-20 13:42:01 · answer #4 · answered by ragapple 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wash hands after dealing with them. keep their encloser clean. enjoy the fresh yard eggs. have had chickens all my life. I'm fine.
2007-05-24 13:29:40 · answer #5 · answered by Abigail's Mom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋