БудПоради - корисний каталог ресурсів з ремонту, будівництву та дизайну

[Jen&Rog]

Hi All

 

[i've just edited my original post as I mistakenly put 'coccidiosis', but I realise now I mean 'campylobacter'. OK start again.. ]

 

I've been hearing a lot in the news lately about campylobacter in the chicken we eat, so started wondering what the risks are for us hen keepers? I've never had any illnesses from our hens in our 7-ish years of having them, but with young children now I'm starting to get concerned about hen poo on the eggs and the bottom of shoes!! Wondering what other parents feel in general about hens and hygiene?

 

Jennie

Edited February 2, 2013 by Guest

[Snowy]

Coccidia is a parasite, so not sure it would be in the chicken we eat as it lives in the gut.

This is link to the info on the Flyte so Fancy website which makes a lot of sense: http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Coccidiosis_in_Chickens.html

With children you need to make sure that good hand hygiene is instilled in them very early on, as with any pet. But coccidia is species specific so not a risk to humans anyway.

[merlina]

campylobacter is carried by quite a few animals (including people!)

I had it once - nasty food poisoning-type episode, but nothing too horrid.

Apparently, like most bugs, it's not dangerous unless you are very young (pre-toddler), very old or otherwise vulnerable.

 

My family is very much of the opinion that kids being around 'normal' bugs is good for them (and as I child we certainly played in places/ways that wouldn't be allowed today with no ill effects. Kids don't find animal poo as gross as we adults!). And some medical opinion agrees with that.

 

Personally, I don't have children, but think that as long as 'normal' hygiene rules are in place, the benefits of letting kids interact with animals far outweigh the risks

[Snowy]

Ah, my reply makes no sense at all now!

 

But I agree with Merlina

[Jen&Rog]

Yes sorry Snowy, I read your reply then realised I'd got my diseases muddled up..

 

The more I hear about bacteria/diseases/food poisoning etc the more OCD I'm becoming... Ignorance is bliss

[mimi5]

I work with children and I believe the sensible apporach is best. So wellies for in the garden, try to pick up poop and hand washing, just sensible precautions really. I would say trying to keep eggs/nest box clean/poo free would be pretty important, as bacteria can pass through the egg shell.

 

Try not to worry too much, people have been keeping chickens for generations!