{"id":9,"date":"2021-03-30T16:57:49","date_gmt":"2021-03-30T20:57:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/aetter\/?page_id=9"},"modified":"2022-04-05T15:44:36","modified_gmt":"2022-04-05T19:44:36","slug":"resources-for-backyard-chicken-owners","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/aetter\/","title":{"rendered":"Resources for Backyard Chicken Owners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Backyard chickens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Salmonella<\/em> and chickens<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salmonella enterica<\/em> is a common intestinal bacterial species in domestic and wild birds, mice, other rodents, cows, pigs, and many other animals. Salmonella <\/em>gets along especially well with poultry, often not causing any observable symptoms. Unfortunately, humans who accidentally ingest Salmonella<\/em> will typically develop diarrhea, cramping, and potentially nausea and vomiting and a fever. Rarely, people infected with Salmonella <\/em>will develop blood infections (septicemia) or other severe conditions. About 20% of people infected with Salmonella <\/em>will be hospitalized, largely because they will become dehydrated from diarrhea and\/or vomiting. Children, immunocompromised people, and people over 65 are most likely to become seriously ill and be hospitalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are about 2,500 different serovars (distinct types) of Salmonella,<\/em> with about 20 different types causing 75% of illnesses in the United States (this is why we don’t have a vaccine for Salmonella<\/em> at this point). Getting Salmonella<\/em> once only protects you fully against the type of Salmonella <\/em>you had and you can still get sick if you encounter a different type of Salmonella <\/em>later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chickens carry Salmonella <\/em>in their intestines and in the follicles of their feathers (this is partially due to dustbathing habits). However, because they both poop and lay eggs out of their cloaca, there is a connection between their intestines and their uterus\/shell gland. Salmonella <\/em>can use this connection to travel into the uterus and infect the egg before the shell develops. This means chicks can be born with Salmonella<\/em><\/strong>, which they got from their mom through the egg. Chicks (and adults) can also get Salmonella<\/em> from infected feed or water, contact with wild animals\/birds or their droppings, and interacting with other chickens\/poultry who have Salmonella<\/em>. Most chicks will get better from Salmonella <\/em>after a short time (days\/weeks), but a few will continue to carry Salmonella<\/em> up through adulthood and egg-laying. Adults can also get Salmonella<\/em> as adults; they can clear out the infection after a week or two. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Chicken anatomy (from: https:\/\/backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com\/chickens-101\/a-chickens-digestive-system-from-feed-to-egg\/<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The main way humans get Salmonella <\/em>from chickens\/poultry are through either eating poultry meat\/eggs that are contaminated with Salmonella<\/em> or through handling infected live poultry or eggs. Chicks seem to be the highest risk for Salmonella. <\/em>Our research<\/a> shows that roughly 8% of chick shipments from hatcheries who don’t monitor\/test for Salmonella<\/em> contain Salmonella<\/em>. Unfortunately, chicks are adorable, so they get handled a lot by their owners\/owners’ kids, which is a prime opportunity for them to pass on Salmonella.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few simple precautions owners can take to reduce their opportunities for getting Salmonella<\/em> from their chicks and adult chickens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n