[Mamachickof14]

I see alot of pics with people holding their chicks close to them...just wondering if there is anything (like bugs) that we can catch from them? I love my girls and do pick them up...just wondering??? Jen

 

[Energyvet]

Most external mites and lice are species specific. And most babies have not been exposed to anything that would cause them to be infected. And chickens eat ticks. So I think we are pretty safe.

 

[kejmack]

Mamachick, I've had chickens for 32 years and never caught a thing. Chickens that are well-cared for usually do not have any zoonotic diseases. Even lice is rare.

http://vbs.psu.edu/extension/resources-repository/publications/VSE-06-03.pdf
The above link has a list of things that are possibly passed on by chickens, but like I've said, I've had chickens and ducks (and sometimes turkeys) for 32 years and never gotten anything.

 

[BootedBantam]

Wash your hands. Loved that article. Allergies and autoimmune, good to know!

 

[ThreeJ]

As long as you don't kiss them, you won't get cherpes.... but don't worry I hear they are tweatable

 

[jen3910]

Lol threej - love it

 

[Happeesupermom]

LOL @ThreeJ

 

[Mamachickof14]

Threej, thats the cutest thing I've heard about chickens!! LOL Hearing this(that you won't catch bugs) makes me love them even more! I was afraid to pick them up and hold them although I did alot when they were babies. Thanks for the info! Jen

 

[Sundancers]

The short answer is yes ...

If care is not taken ... (Wash hands, keep coop clean ...)

http://www.chickenforum.com/f12/histoplasmosis-chickens-31/