Can I get sick from backyard chickens?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
The CDC says salmonella outbreaks linked to backyard poultry are common, and healthy-looking birds shed it onto their feathers, coop, and your hands. The rules: wash hands with soap and water after handling birds or anything in their environment, no kissing or snuggling chickens, keep birds and equipment outside, and use dedicated coop shoes. Children under 5 should not handle chicks; under-5s, over-65s, pregnant women, and the immunocompromised are the high-risk groups. If fever, diarrhea, and cramps arrive 12 to 72 hours later, most cases pass in four to seven days, but bloody diarrhea, high fever, or dehydration needs a doctor.
What to do
- Wash hands after every coop visit, before touching your face or food.
- No kissing or snuggling chickens.
- Keep birds, equipment, and coop shoes outside.
- Keep under-5s away from chicks and ducklings.
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