The popular practice of raising chickens in urban backyards is raising the risk of salmonella exposure nationally, according to a release from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
More than 1,500 people nationwide became ill from salmonella linked to live poultry between 1996 and 2012, according to the report. There were 221 hospitalizations and five deaths from the exposure.
Casey Barton Behravesh, who wrote the report, said backyard chickens are becoming more popular because of the local-food movement. She said some people are raising chickens with little or no experience about how to handle live poultry.
Backyard chickens can benefit families, but it is important that safety measures be taken to reduce the risk of infection, Behravesh said.
“I am a veterinarian and I want people to safely have animals,” Behravesh said. “I have a real passion for making sure people know about these risks and stay healthy while enjoying their animals.”
People with backyard flocks should never allow the birds, even young chicks in their homes,Behravesh said. They also should wash their hands well after exposure to the birds. Water bowls and other items that the chickens use should be washed outside, not in people’s homes. Also, people should wash their boots or shoes outside after they have cleaned the birds’ enclosures.
The CDC also recommends that children under age 5, the elderly and people with lowered immune systems, including pregnant women, avoid exposure to live poultry.
Arkansas reported a case of salmonella infection from live poultry to the CDC in 2012.
However nationwide in 2013, there were two outbreaks that affected nearly 500 people in up to 39 states.
Every state that borders Arkansas reported cases of the infection from live poultry in 2013. Colorado had the most cases nationally with 47, and Texas was second with 41.
George Crumbly of Cabot organized the Arkansas Backyard Poultry Meetup in 2009. He said the organization currently has more than 700 members.
“We are getting two to three or four to five people joining a week,” Crumbly said. “I think people are going back to their roots. Maybe their grandma had fresh eggs and bacon, but they live in town and have to work.”
Crumbly said most people who decide to raise chickens in backyards don’t have previous experience with chickens. The organization provides an online forum about raising chickens, Crumbly said.
“They can ask about a chicken’s eye swelling up or discharge,” Crumbly said. He said they can also ask about proper cages or get information about purchasing chickens.
Dustan Clark, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture director for the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, said he has also seen an increase in the number of backyard chickens statewide.
“The vast majority of these people are keeping these birds for fresh eggs.Some are raising them for meat, and others are showing them in county and state fairs,” Clark said. “The hobby has definitely increased, and what we are trying to do at the [cooperative] extension [service] is protect that industry by teaching people how to protect against disease and how to detect disease.”
A seminar today at 6:30 p.m. at the Pauline Whitaker Arena in Fayetteville is one way the extension service is reaching out to the public, Clark said. He said a DVD with instructions on how to safely handle live chickens will be available at the event.
Another concern is the spread of diseases in chickens that don’t affect humans, Clark said. He said Arkansas has a large poultry industry, and it is important to reduce the risk of spreading diseases to commercial chicken operations.
“A lot of individuals getting into this may not have an agriculture background or any experience,” Clark said. “We are teaching them how to prevent disease. It is protection for the industry. We would not want to have anything in the small flocks that can spread to the entire industry.”
Clark said someone considering a backyard flock should make sure to do plenty of research before purchasing their first chickens.-
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 7 on 04/03/2014