What Are the Dangers of Keeping Chickens?

Chickens can have multiple functions. You can keep them for their eggs, you can eat them and you can keep them as pets. Regardless of the reason you want to keep chickens, you may come across some dangers. It behooves you to learn about these potential hazards and how to avoid them and deal with them in order to protect your chickens.

  1. Illness

    • Chickens are often transported multiple times before they reach their final destination. This puts stress on the birds and makes them more prone to shedding bacteria in their droppings. Bacteria, such as salmonella, are especially common in baby chickens. When people come in contact with these germs, they can get ill and experience diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. Children, elderly and people with weak immune systems are especially susceptible to getting sick. According to the Mayo Clinic, washing your hands frequently after handling chickens is essential to limit the transfer of bacteria.

    Predators

    • Chickens have many predators that can end up killing them. Foxes, raccoons, hawks, snakes and owls all form a danger to your chickens. If you allow your chickens to roam around freely, then these predators can become a problem. If owls frequent your area, then house your chickens at night. Owls are nocturnal and hunt at night. If hawks are a problem, then keep your chickens indoor during the day, which is when hawks hunt. Regardless of which predators you are dealing with, whenever your chickens are outdoors, keep an eye on them and cover their enclosure with bird netting for extra protection.

    Cold and Hot Temperatures

    • If you keep chickens in an area that experiences extreme winters, then avoid heating the chicken coop, because this keeps chickens from acclimating to the colder temperatures. If the heat accidentally cuts out, then the chickens may die. Another potential danger during colder times is when their drinking water freezes. Chickens can't live without water. Bring the water indoors overnight, then put it back in the morning. Summer heat can be fatal to chickens if they don't have any shade to hide in when outdoors. When indoors, proper ventilation is required. Drinking water must be available at all times.

    Poisoning

    • If you allow your chickens to roam around freely, then make sure the area is free of plants that are poisonous to them. Plants, such as buttercup, black locust and atamasco lily, can make your chickens sick and can sometimes be fatal. Refrain from using turf builder or fertilizer on your lawn, because these contain pesticides and herbicides that are dangerous to chickens and can result in illness and contaminated eggs. If you desire to use chemicals on your lawn, then keep your chickens in another area.