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Barnyard Buddies:  Are my chickens making us sick?  |
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Fire Escape Farmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
15 Posts
Mikko
Delmar
NY
USA
15 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 02:23:41 AM
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Hello Farmgirls!
I think our chickens are making us sick. Some background: last year we got 21 Barred Rock chicks and have raised them over the year. They (13 left) are living in deluxe chicken coop accomodations and, while they were free range all last year, are now in a large pen since we couldn't keep them from running away to the neighbor's farm. We now have 12 new Polish chicks that live in our breeder box on our back porch.
The first time I got "the sickness" was last summer. Basically it is like the stomach virus, except it is accompanied by awful, rotten egg tasting burps/vomit. Sometimes there is no vomit, just the burps, stomach cramps and awful diarreah.
Since last summer, I've been sick with it about 4 times, recently twice in a month. My daughter (who is 4) has had it twice, my husband once. While the baby (1 year) has had similar symptoms one time, that could have been teething, stomach virus, etc.
We are as vigilant as we can be about washing our hands after working with the birds, or anything associated. I stopped keeping the eggs in the house and now we collect and they go right into a special fridge in the garage. I've even thrown out the butcher block board that was a part of my counter top. We change shoes when we go in the pen/chicken shack. However, our dog loves to eat the poop and I'm sure some might get tracked in from his feet... but our yard is clean now since they are in the pen.
So, I'm asking all chicken owners... does this happen to you? Without going to the doctor every time for Salmonella tests, I'm not sure I can really nail down what this is.
Thanks for any thoughts/insight that you may have!
Mikko
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Fire Escape Farmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
15 Posts
Mikko
Delmar
NY
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 02:43:28 AM
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Oh, I suppose that I should mention that also in the last year my daughter started pre-school... also known as the Petri Dish of the Viral World.
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 03:40:33 AM
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It might be actually related to your water and not the chickens at all. Next time the symptoms come back, go the DR and see if he/she can test for Giardia.
It runs in cycles |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 03:43:58 AM
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OH! And if it helps, we have a total of 55 chickens. All are able to free range and yes there is poop everywhere (mostly just where I feed them in the side yard.) Our dog LUUUUVES chicken poop, but isn't quite as hot on it like she was as a puppy. After collecting eggs, sometimes I forget to wash hands, but always do after handling them and coming it to eat or prepare meals.
Your illness is a mystery and I'd still get it checked out |
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Fire Escape Farmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
15 Posts
Mikko
Delmar
NY
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 08:05:49 AM
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Thanks Anna for the suggestion. My 4 year old is sick again now, and it is a toss up between another stomach flu from her school, the water and/or the chickens. I really don't think it is the chickens, and I REALLY hope it isn't the water. Because, exactly how do you tell everyone that has ever had a glass of water at your house that you have given them Beaver Fever? Ugh. I'm going to get my water tested and will let you know.
Because farmin' is charmin' |
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MullersLaneFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
596 Posts
Rock Falls
IL
596 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 08:52:52 AM
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We've kept various poultry & other livestock for over 20 years (throughout my children growing up) and have never repeatedly gotten the symptoms you described.
We've brooded birds in the house and have brought sick livestock in.
Wash your hands repeatedly and throw out the anti-bacterial soap. It's creates super germs.
Cyndi
Muller's Lane Farm http://www.mullerslanefarm.com
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 10:03:31 AM
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I too have raised poultry for almost 20 years and have never had a problem and I whole-heartedly agree with Cyndi about the anti-bacterial soap.
I would definitely get your water checked and although it's not a very pleasant thing to have to do, I would ask for a stool culture of your daughter or yourself if you should get sick again. It could very well be just viruses you are catching, but at the very least it will put your mind at rest.
Di |
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AmyEllen
True Blue Farmgirl
235 Posts
Amy
McPherson
Kansas
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 11:07:21 AM
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Just a thought, have you eaten out at all in relation to the times you all have gotten sick. We have had the same exact symptoms a few times, and my husband once ended up in the ER and they said food posioning. We do not live in the country and use bottled water so I think your water is probably fine. We stopped eating out at fast food places, and we have not had the issues of the egg burps as my kids called it. And as far as the chickens my kids have always run around at my moms and she does not always keep her chickens penned and she has I think 50 or so and I am sure I missed a kids or two on washing hands before having a snack. So I would probably bet it is not the chickens either. Hope everyone feels better soon.
Amy
My Blog
http://lifenkansas.blogspot.com/
Amore Schnauzers
http://amoreschnauzers.blogspot.com/ |
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AmyEllen
True Blue Farmgirl
235 Posts
Amy
McPherson
Kansas
USA
235 Posts |
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Fire Escape Farmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
15 Posts
Mikko
Delmar
NY
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 3:52:48 PM
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Thank you everyone who wrote in to help out with my family crisis.
My daughter is much better now, of course 24 hours later. When I talked to another mom from school, she reassured me that the first year of pre-school was all about vomiting and diarrhea. Yippee! However I'm still going to get my water tested.
I'm happy that my chickens (and future barnyard babies) are not posing the health hazard to my family.
Now, if I can only find solutions for the ticks and poison ivy!
Because farmin' is charmin' |
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Bfriday
True Blue Farmgirl
125 Posts
Jessica
Miles
TX
125 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2008 : 10:55:14 AM
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| You could always add to your farm and get a guinea to eat the ticks and a goat to eat the poison ivy! |
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Fire Escape Farmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
15 Posts
Mikko
Delmar
NY
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2008 : 11:01:00 AM
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Great minds think alike! I actually am trying to do both of those things. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to integrate my Polish chicks with my Barred Rock flock, then I have guineas coming in the summer, THEN I want to borrow some angoras. Nothing like farming on the fly! And to think I was living in Brooklyn last year!
Because farmin' is charmin' |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2008 : 12:12:54 PM
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Hi Mikko!
I was doing a little research and from what I can find- all the symptoms sound like Giardia as was already mentioned. I think that means you need to give a stool sample next time someone gets sick :( Maybe try boiling your drinking water?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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HAINAngel2000
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Mary
Sweet Home
OR
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2008 : 5:11:33 PM
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When we purchased our house (we have a well)anyway our well tests came out bad. The ownders that were selling the house had to put one of those fancy water filter systems in. We were told that ad water can even lead to death. Not trying to scare you of course but it is worth looking into! Its as simple as having someone come out and do a water test. Then if it is the water then you will need to fix the problem, no need to get your own feces unless the water ends up fine and then bam you will know. And besides go to the doctor and if they need something like that from you they will let you know. Many tests can be ran from blood or urine.
Anyway I also agree that it might also be foods. Worth writing down what your eating. When you get sick, write down what you wrote.
Mary
Website: http://Heavenlyangelsinneed.com
Email: info@heavenlyangelsinneed.com
Bereavement: http://Heavenlyangelsinneed.org
Blog: http://Heavenlyangelsinneed.blogspot.com/
Home: http://rockypointschool-homestead.blogspot.com/ |
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craftychick06
True Blue Farmgirl
71 Posts
Darlene
fennville
Mi
USA
71 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2008 : 06:20:37 AM
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Gosh i grew up on a farm with chickens and we have had chickens since, we have an incubator in the house and then when chicks arrive they go in this big brooding box my hubby built in our enclosed back porch, never had any problems like this. I do know that chickens carry alot of diseases amonst themselves but boy i agree have your water tested. Also i agree wholeheartedly with Amy we dont go out to eat anymore. 2 years ago hubby got violently ill and not just once, yes it was an illness from what the doc gathered a bad salad bar!! no more for us either!! I work in a commercial kitchen making my products for market and then when i was younger working in a kitchen preparing food the laws have changed alot and boy back then (only 10 years ago) i am surprised more people werent sick. not saying we did anything bad but now when prepping you need to wear gloves anytime you are touching food, also you need the apron and hair net. I see alot of places not complying with this so kind of wonder about fast food places. The taco bell in a nearby town was fined a couple of times for cleanliness problems and a problem with a manager doing ill thought things to peoples food!! GROSS!! And a chinese restauant was closed a COUPLE of times in that same town for 2 cases of salmanilla poisoning! There delivery truck wasnt cool enough and suppossedly chicken meat droppings were going onto the salad items below. CRAZY!! so needless to say we dont go out to eat!! Both hubby and i would rather eat at home anyway!!
Good luck and hope yall are healty!!
**LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY** |
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Fire Escape Farmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
15 Posts
Mikko
Delmar
NY
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - Jun 05 2008 : 06:11:08 AM
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UPDATE: Just wanted to let you all know that I had my water tested and it came out perfectly clean. Guess there is a lot of truth to how many sicknesses come home with your child in their first year of school. Thanks to everyone who offered their advice. Seems this might be just something we need to get used to... especially now that my brother and father have it, and they don't even live with us!!
Take care!
Mikko
Because farmin' is charmin' |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 05 2008 : 06:17:53 AM
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Glad your water came out clean! I am so sorry you all are getting sick with something so bad though? Maybe lots of vitamin C?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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aimeeravae
True Blue Farmgirl
341 Posts
Aimee
Deer River
MN
USA
341 Posts |
Posted - Jun 05 2008 : 07:30:36 AM
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My cousin's daughter was born allergic to everything. I mean everything. She puked up everything she ate. They went to specialists all over the country. At two years, she was in the less than 5% growth for her age. She looked like a skin shell of a beautiful child. Once a week they took her in for IV fluids. In desperation they took her to a homeopathic doctor. He did some tests and said she had a Vitamin A deficiency. Give her Whole milk. She pukes it up. He says keep giving it to her. In three days she was keeping it down with oatmeal. After he put her on a diet with suppliments, the only thing she is allergic to is strawberries. They went to everyone. It took a man who picked "weeds" as a treatment.
I know you all don't have a vitamin deficiency. But, sometimes its so simple and the "experts" don't see it staring them in the face.
Aimee
http://laplantewardklopf.blogspot.com/ Motto To Live By
"Life should NOT be a jouney to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, latte in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!" |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2008 : 03:23:50 AM
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I'm glad this resurfaced!
Also glad it's NOT your water
There are indeed all kinds of super bugs out there these days, and having small kids exposed doesn't help either!
Just out ouf curiosity, I'd start keeping a daily journal about what everyone did and ate. It would be tedious, but might help you solve the mystery.
And I know that antibacterial stuff is bad, but you still might want to carry some for you and kids when you are out in public. OR, I know a brand of herbal hand sanitizer too. Unless you guys are washing hands for a good 2-3 minutes under HOT water and soap, you aren't getting the baddies off (like e coli from yourselves and exposure from other people's hands too).
But this still doesn't explain the crud your other family members got who aren't in the same house.
If youive in a small town, perhaps everyone is re-infecting everyone else.
I'm puzzled for you!
Keep us posted |
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Barnyard Buddies: Are my chickens making us sick? |
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Are my chickens making us sick?
