Know how to minimize health risks of raising backyard poultry
April 24, 2023 | By Waterbury Roundabout 
Crossett Brook Middle School students handle a chicken at a farm-to-school event last fall. Local schools have outdoor coops to raise chickens. Photo by Gordon Miller
Whether it's to have a home supply of eggs or just for fun, raising backyard chickens is growing in popularity, and state health and agriculture officials want to pass along steps that can minimize the health risks.
First, it’s important to know the health risks associated with poultry in order to protect yourself, your family and your flock, according to a recent announcement from the Department of Health.
Any domesticated bird kept for producing eggs or meat can carry harmful bacteria, including Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli, that make people sick. Backyard flocks can also be breeding grounds for viruses such as avian influenza, also known as bird flu.
“Raising baby poultry like chicks, ducklings and goslings in your backyard can offer many benefits, such as fresh eggs, opportunities to connect with nature, and education for children and families,” said Dr. Natalie Kwit, Vermont’s public health veterinarian. “But it’s very important to take steps to help minimize the spread of diseases.”
Certain people are more likely to get severe illness from the bacteria poultry can carry, such as children younger than 5 years old, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems, Kwit said.
Viruses naturally spread among wild birds and can infect domestic poultry and other animals. Some strains of avian flu can cause severe illness or death in infected domestic poultry flocks. While avian influenza viruses usually do not infect people, there have been rare cases of human infection.
There are precautions to take whether one is building their first coop or is already an experienced poultry owner including:
Wash your hands with soap and water after touching live poultry or any objects in the area where they live or roam, including eggs.
Supervise children around poultry, and make sure they wash their hands thoroughly after being with and near the birds.
Don’t kiss or snuggle backyard poultry and then touch your face or mouth.
Keep backyard poultry and items used to care for them outside of the house, and especially away from areas where food or drinks are prepared, served, stored, or where dishes are cleaned.
Don’t eat or drink in areas where poultry live or roam.
Set aside a pair of shoes to wear while taking care of poultry, and keep those shoes outside of the house.
Stay outdoors when cleaning any equipment or materials used to raise or care for poultry, such as cages or food and water containers.
Clean the coop, floor, nests and perches regularly.
Officials with the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets say the best thing you can do to protect your birds from getting avian influenza is to prevent contact with wild waterfowl.
Anyone involved with poultry production – from small backyard coops to large commercial producers – should review their biosecurity plans and activities to ensure the health of their birds. Learn more about avian flu preparedness and poultry biosecurity online at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets website.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has tips online regarding backyard poultry.