Ziggy Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Hi everyone, I have a few (maybe naive) questions about chickens, eggs and salmonella... I seem to remember reading somewhere (though I don't know when or where, so it might have been a dream), that the chickens we got from Omlet, and therefore their eggs, would be salmonella free... I can't remember the explanation behind it though, which is why I wonder if that is something I dreamt one early morning while half asleep listening to the chickens after chasing away foxes... I have read that keeping the eglu clean is a good way to avoid the disease too. How is salmonella actually caught by chickens? Can they get it from their own droppings? If so, wouldn't they have to be carrying the disease anyway, for it to be present in their droppings? Do chickens who have the disease actually show any sign of it, or can they carry it/transmit it without actually showing any symptoms or getting poorly? My husband was thinking that, as we've had the chooks for six months now and they are happy healthy chooks, and not in contact with any other chooks, they're probably salmonella free, but we don't know if that's just us making up theories... Come to think of it, can they catch it from the wild birds around the garden? This is all just curiosity driven... I don't mind having to cook eggs till firm for my baby and any visitor who might be pregnant, but we just had that thought that, if our chickens really would be sure to be salmonella free, we could be less cautious about this... runny eggs are so yummy, if they are safe just as well let the baby enjoy them (she's one now, I remember a health visitor once telling me not to give soft-boiled or fried eggs to kids until they were at least four years old). Does anyone out there have any knowledge to share? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Hi Ziggy, I too remember reading something on the Omlet site about the eggs being salmonella free too so you're not dreaming. As for your other questions-I can't help you there but I'm just gonna go and have a look to see if I can find the bit on the Omlet site. If I have any luck I will post the link here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Nope-can't find it anywhere yet I know I read it on the Omlet site!! Weird! Oh well, we'll just have to see what others say I guess. I know that Omlet hens are vaccinated against salmonella but I thought that even battery hens were so why would we be more at risk from eating undercooked shop eggs?? Mmmm Sorry that I couldn't help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted June 26, 2007 Author Share Posted June 26, 2007 Hi Jay, Thanks for trying, I did the same, looking up on the site for what I seem to remember reading before, but couldn't find it... Hopefully other members might have more information... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 This is the only information I can find but i'm sure I have also seen that the Omlet website: "Omlet's chickens are excellent egg layers and have friendly individual characters. They have been organically reared to Soil Association standards and are at point of lay. This means that they are approximately 20 weeks old and will lay their first egg in 4 to 6 weeks. They have also been fully vaccinated against common diseases". I just found this info. on Chicken Clinic and thought it might help: http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=271&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
