Beech Tree News Network

There has been increasing interest in both Butler County, and across our state, in keeping a few chickens on the farm or in the back yard.  Birds can even be seen walking around Morgantown.  People have many different reasons for keeping poultry including, but not limited to:  meat, eggs, insect control, hobby, or nostalgia.  Most people think that salmonella is only a concern when using meat from large poultry production facilitates.  Since January 2016, the CDC has investigated 7 outbreaks that have come from small backyard flocks.  There have been 21 confirmed cases in Kentucky.  The following things are important to remember regarding poultry:  any chicken can carry Salmonella, do not bring poultry in your house, do not put poultry near your face, do not put dirty hands near nose, mouth, or eyes, wash hands immediately after handling poultry or equipment, if showing poultry have a way for you or others to wash hands, be careful when washing equipment or eggs in the kitchen sink.  You can cross contaminate food.  Carefully wash with disinfectant when you are finished. 

The University of Kentucky has a publication on the safe handling of chicks.  It can be found at:  http://www2.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/Factsheets/Safe_handling_of_chicks.pdf

  UK also has a lot of resources on small flock poultry management.  These resources are available at www.smallflocks.com
 
If you are interested in the CDC announcement it is available at:  http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/live-poultry-05-16/index.html
 
For more information, contact the Butler County Extension Office at 112 E GL Smith Street, Morgantown, or call 270-526-3767.

Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

By: Greg Drake II, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources