Don't Get Sick from Your Chick! Consider the Implications of Buying Baby Chicks or Ducks as Easter Gifts

Spring is the season when people purchase "baby chicks" for their backyard poultry flocks or to give as Easter gifts. The problem: Baby poultry carry Salmonella bacteria that can cause serious illness.

It is important to remember that baby chicks, ducks, or other birds can harbor germs, like Salmonella, that can make people sick. Oregon veterinarians encourage you to practice effective biosecurity measures when handling poultry. Touching your eyes, mouth, or face directly after handling live birds, or things in their environment can lead to sickness. Chicks, ducklings, or other young birds can carry salmonella on their bodies, even though they may appear to be clean and healthy.  

After handling young birds, or poultry in general and anything in their environment, it is important to properly wash your hands with soap and water. Birds and their supplies should be kept outside to prevent harmful bacteria and viruses from spreading inside the home. It is important to supervise children when they are handling poultry and ensure they don’t kiss, nuzzle, touch their mouths, eat, or drink, during or after handling poultry until they have properly washed their hands.  

Many people purchasing baby poultry also don’t realize the responsibility involved with raising chicks and ducklings as the animals grow up. These birds require space to roam and food to eat, and these factors can be expensive. As a result, they often are abandoned after they become adult chickens and ducks.

Tips for preventing Salmonella infection from baby poultry:

• Don’t give live baby birds to children. Instead, give stuffed animals.
• Always wash hands with soap and water, and thoroughly clean surfaces after handling any animal or coming in contact with animal waste.
• Keep chicks in an appropriate outdoor area.
• If chicks are handled, never nuzzle or kiss them.
• Never allow poultry inside the home.