At some point between grocery sticker shock on egg prices and the sudden urge to make sourdough from scratch, backyard chickens became less like something only farmers would get excited about and more like a smart suburban life hack for the masses. A few chickens in the yard, some fresh eggs in the morning — it’s a tiny taste of homesteading without fully becoming a butter churner on the weekends. Plenty of people see the appeal, but as efficient and cost-effective as a little backyard flock might seem, it’s not quite as simple as collecting eggs and tossing out feed. There’s a rising risk that could put you and your chickens in danger: avian flu and salmonella. The avian flu is a respiratory virus carried by migratory birds and can spread to chickens through direct or indirect contact. In chickens, it’s usually fatal, and it can affect both backyard and commercial flocks. Salmonella, on the other hand, is a bacteria that can be carried by chickens. It may be present on their bodies, in their droppings, and on their eggs. Birds can look perfectly healthy and still spread it. For most backyard chicken owners, the chance of getting avian flu is still low. While human infections are rare, they can happen after close exposure to infected birds or contaminated surfaces. That means the people most likely to be at risk are those who handle sick birds, clean coops, work around infected poultry or have prolonged contact with contaminated environments. Humans can pick up salmonella after touching birds, eggs, feeders, water bowls, coop surfaces or anything else in the area where chickens and ducks live and roam. If they then touch their mouth, prepare food, or handle children’s items without washing their hands, the bacteria can spread. For humans, salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and headache. Most healthy adults recover, but severe infections can require hospitalization. The good news? You don’t have to swear off backyard eggs if you already have a flock. The bigger risk is usually handling birds, eggs or contaminated surfaces without good hygiene.
