Love your chickens, just don't kiss them.

If you have backyard chickens or ducks, take steps to protect yourself from Salmonella. Every spring and summer the U.S. experiences a multi-state outbreak of salmonellosis associated with exposure to backyard poultry. Since March 1 of this year, the CDC has linked 17 salmonellosis cases among Wisconsinites to this year's outbreak. Salmonella bacteria are very common in chickens, ducks, and other domesticated birds. Many have the bacteria in their poop or even on their bodies. 

Tell me more about Salmonella

We don't want to ruffle your feathers, but Salmonella can cause diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms usually start within 6 hours to 6 days. Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days. People who are 65 or older, are younger than 5, or have a weakened immune system, including pregnant people, are more likely to get very sick or be hospitalized from Salmonella.

How can my birds give me Salmonella?

Chickens and ducks can carry Salmonella germs even if they look clean and healthy. When you've touched your birds, their eggs, places where they live and roam, their food and water containers, or the shoes and clothing you wore while with them, then touch your mouth, you might swallow the Salmonella bacteria. And we don't want to make you madder than a wet hen, but if you let your chickens or ducks into your house, or you hug and kiss them, these are other ways you could accidentally swallow bacteria. 

How can I reduce my risk of Salmonella from my backyard flock?

• Wash hands. Always wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after touching your birds or their surroundings. Here's a great video to show you how. 
• Supervise kids. Supervise kids with backyard poultry and help them wash hands with soap and water after touching your birds or their surroundings. Children younger than 5 shouldn't interact with them at all because they're more likely to get very sick from Salmonella. According to the CDC, over a quarter of the sick people in the current outbreak are children under 5 years old. 
• Watch your mouth. Don't put your hands or other items that have been in contact with your birds in or near your mouth. Don't eat or drink around them. Don't kiss or snuggle your birds.
• Have dedicated shoes. Use shoes that you'll only wear when caring for your poultry and keep them outside. 
• Keep it outside. Keep your flock, including baby birds, and everything you use to care for them outside of your home. Stay outside when cleaning anything related to your flock.
• Handle eggs safely. Collect eggs often and refrigerate them. When they sit in the nest, they can get dirty. When they're not refrigerated, germs can grow. Don't wash them because cold water can pull germs into the egg. You can use fine sandpaper, a brush, or cloth to clean eggs.
• Cook eggs properly. Cook them until both the yolk and the white are firm. Use a food thermometer to make sure they reach an internal temperature of 160° to kill germs.

What should I do if I feel sick?

Call your health care provider right away if you have any of these severe symptoms:

• Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
• Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving
• Bloody poop
• Prolonged vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, such as:
  • Making very little pee
  • Dry mouth and throat
  • Dizziness when standing up

Enjoy your chickens!

You don't have to feel like you're walking on eggshells to stay healthy around your backyard poultry. Following these tips can help prevent you from getting Salmonella so that you can enjoy your flock and their eggs! To learn more about staying healthy around them, check out the WI DHS backyard poultry page and CDC's backyard poultry page.