Cyndi's Two Cents

Again: Do not kiss the chickens!

Commentary:

Last summer when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggested we stop kissing our chickens, I laughed until I cried.  Who in their right mind would kiss a chicken?  Moreover, who are these people that allow poultry to live inside their homes, especially their bathrooms and kitchens?  Apparently some people in these United States of America, because CDC warned against that as well.

Were it not for the more than 180 people who had contracted salmonella from snuggling and kissing backyard poultry by this time last year, we probably would never have received warning from CDC.  Sadly it seems that last year’s warning fell on many deaf ears, as the Centers reported last month that a record number of people (611) have fallen ill this year due to contact with live poultry.

My husband and I have had chickens for many years.  We’ve had Rhode Island Reds in the past and now have a flock of white Leghorns.  They are interesting birds to watch and easy to care for but not in a million years would I would let a chicken inside my house.

I’m not overly affectionate with my poultry.  I do not kiss my chickens.  Well-known dog behaviorist Cesar Millan (The dog whisperer) says you shouldn’t swap spit with your dog.  Why in heaven’s name would you kiss a chicken?

As with many other species of farm animals, there are countless misconceptions about chickens. Every year, droves of well-meaning parents purchase chicks and ducklings for their children’s Easter baskets.  Others think it would be great to have a few chickens in the backyard to supply the family with eggs. They go out and buy a coop, a bag of feed and maybe even some of those fashionable chicken diapers.

It’s always a good idea to do some research about an animal or bird before bringing it home, and it’s guaranteed you’ll learn plenty once you do. If you or someone you know is thinking about getting some chickens, there are a few little nuggets of information that many people do not know:

You do not need a rooster in your flock for your hens to lay eggs.
There is no such thing as a hormone-free egg.  All plant and animal source foods contain hormones.
The color of an egg is determined exclusively by the breed of chicken from which it comes.  The power is in the pigment.
Chickens are omnivorous.  They will not only eat insects, but also snakes, lizards, toads, frogs etc.
Chicken eggs are nutritionally about the same regardless of color.

Chickens are seriously entertaining and remind me of little dinosaurs.  There’s a reason for that:  chickens are believed to be the closest living relative of the Tyrannosaurus rex.

Songs have been written about chickens. Remember “Chicken Train” by Ozark Mountain Daredevils and “Dixie Chicken” by Little Feat?  Foghorn Leghorn was a famous Warner Brothers cartoon character.  Henny Penny is the star character in a famous children’s story.

Despite their popularity and many attributes, if you want to stay healthy and keep your family healthy, just say no to kissing your chickens or keeping them in your home.

 

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