Is Backyard chickens and ducks safe during pregnancy?
Healthy-looking chickens and ducks can carry salmonella. Wash hands after touching birds, eggs or coop, and skip snuggling chicks.
What the sources say
CDC says backyard poultry can carry Salmonella even when they look healthy and clean; wash hands with soap and water after touching birds, eggs, feed, or anything where they live (sanitizer if no sink). CDC does not single out pregnancy, but MotherToBaby notes Salmonella infection in pregnancy can cause bloodstream infection and can pass to the fetus, more likely near delivery; it has not been linked to birth defects. Most people with Salmonella can keep breastfeeding.
Also listed as
baby chicks, backyard chickens, backyard poultry, chicken coop, chickens, chicks, cleaning chicken coop, collecting eggs, ducklings, ducks
Sources
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.