Safety Tips For Keeping Backyard Chickens in Utah Amid Recent Salmonella Outbreak

For people in Utah who have chickens in the backyard, this outbreak of salmonella in multiple states is a wake up call. The CDC says those infected got it through ducks and chickens on backyard farms.

More Aware After Salmonella Outbreaks in Backyard Chickens

The outbreaks were mostly in the Midwest and have shown a resistance to antibiotics used to treat salmonella. It has also effected mostly children and is a reminder to take precautions with small egg laying operations.

Here are the recommended procedures if you have chickens in your backyard. Salmonella germs can make a person sick when the germs get transferred from a contaminated surface to the mouth.

Safe Handling of Chickens and Eggs

When handling chicken eggs or touching the birds it is important to keep your hands away from your mouth or keep from rubbing your eyes. Afterwards wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

Never kiss a chicken or a duck and don't use water to wash off the eggs as it will make the shell permeable and make it possible for salmonella germs to get inside. Gather the eggs as soon as they are laid to keep them from getting too dirty.

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You also don't need to touch the eggs or chickens to pick up the germs. Touching surfaces in the backyard that may have the germs and then touching your mouth can cause contamination.

Being aware and taking some common sense precautions can keep you and your family healthy and your backyard operation thriving.