“Snuggling” With Backyard Chickens Is Discouraged

CDC Chicken Photo

Keeping backyard poultry like chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, and turkeys are becoming more popular. People enjoy raising baby poultry, including chicks, ducklings, goslings, and poults. Many people keep chickens to have fresh eggs. Although keeping backyard poultry can be fun and educational, owners should be aware that poultry can sometimes carry harmful germs that make people sick.

These germs can cause various illnesses in people, ranging from minor skin infections to severe diseases that could cause death. One of the best ways to protect yourself from getting sick is to wash your hands thoroughly right after touching poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam.

Whether you are building your first coop or are a seasoned backyard poultry owner, you should know the risks of keeping poultry and the simple things you can do to stay safe.

Follow the Healthy People and Healthy Poultry tips to keep yourself and your flock healthy.