Chicks, Ducklings, and Germs
Young poultry can carry Salmonella bacteria on their bodies, even when they are healthy and look clean. These germs spread onto cages and other things the birds touch.
Salmonella bacteria on your hands can spread to other people and surfaces, and it can infect you – if you don't wash up.
You Can Get Sick
Anyone can become infected with Salmonella. Children are especially at risk of illness because they are less likely to wash their hands, and they have more frequent hand-to-mouth contact than adults.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection begin about 1 to 3 days after exposure and include severe diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Most people will recover without medical treatment, but a stay in the hospital or medical treatment is sometimes needed. Infants, children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe symptoms.
Call your health care provider if you are concerned about a high fever, severe diarrhea, or other symptoms.
Don't Spread Salmonella
- Wash hands with soap and water after touching chicks and ducklings.
It is the single most important thing you can do! When soap and water are not available, you can use alcohol-based hand wipes and gel sanitizers. Sanitizers might not be as effective if hands are too dirty. Clean off as much dirt as possible before using sanitizers. - Young poultry are not good pets for children under 5 years old.
Raising poultry can be a great experience, but sometimes adults make the mistake of giving a chick or duckling to a young child as a gift. Young poultry given as pets often don't survive, and if they do, they aren't as cute and cuddly when they're adults. Young children are also more at risk of severe illness from Salmonella. - Supervise children when handling poultry.
Don't allow children to nuzzle or kiss chicks and ducklings, touch their mouths with their hands, or eat and drink while handling birds. - Keep young poultry away from family living spaces.
Keep birds and their equipment outside to prevent germs from spreading inside. Don’t put young poultry in sinks or bathtubs. Disinfect areas where feeders, water containers, and cages are cleaned.
More Resources
Poster: Don't Let a Chick Make You Sick (PDF)
How to Prepare for a Healthy Family and Flock (PDF)