They might look cute, but don’t snuggle your chickens.
WASHINGTON — Public health officials are reminding people with backyard chickens or ducks to take important health safety steps around their flock as the CDC investigates multistate outbreaks of salmonella.
Even if they look healthy and clean, backyard poultry like chickens and ducks can carry salmonella bacteria, which easily spreads in the areas where the animals live and roam.
If you have backyard chickens or ducks, here are ways to stay healthy.
- Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after touching backyard poultry, their eggs, or anything in the area where they live and roam.
- Consider keeping hand sanitizer in your coop if soap and water are not readily available.
- Do not snuggle or kiss backyard poultry.
- Do not eat or drink around backyard poultry.
- Don’t let kids under 5 touch chicks, ducklings or any other backyard poultry. Young children are more likely to get sick from salmonella.
- Keep animals, food and other supplies out of the house, including shoes you wear in the …