dd's childminder has chickens. risk to dd?

[yentil]

title says it all really; just wondered because i am worried about bird flu and if she could catch anything else?

I keep chickens and don't consider that my dd is at risk. Bird flu is not rampant in this country and has been hyped up by the media no end.

I can't think of anything else she could catch from them. Obviously if she touches them or the hen house she needs to be washing her hands afterwards. I'm sure she'll love looking for eggs.

its safe, don't worry.

chicken pox

My cm was going to get chickens and I was worried too. I think I'd have to think hard about it personally, particulary as I can remember my Dad catching psitticosis from the birds he kept (parrots and chickens) he nearly died, so I guess I am slightly paranoid when it comes to any sort of bird - with or without bird flu thrown in the mix.

She'll be fine, we were brought up on a farm, my grandparents had chickens, as do some of my friends, the same rules apply; wash hands after touching them and as the other poster said, she'll love looking for eggs and it's a wonderful experience for her.

Parrots are a worry for psitticosis, but I don't think chickens are, don't quote me tho'.

PP - I think you can only catch psitticosis from really close contact with infected birds. I doubt the CM is going to give the kids the chickens to play with or let them play in the chicken run?

plus the fact it's really bloody hard to catch a chicken - let alone play with it!!

It is rare that chickens get it, they can but it is rare.

The major cause of Pittacosis is parrots being infected.

Good basic hygine is all that is needed, hand washing etc

Chickens really aren't that much fun to play with. You can feed them, collect eggs, chase them, get them to follow you, but you'd hardly play with them in the same close way as you would a dog or rabbit.

Bird flu is so yesterday

Seriously, there is nothing to be concerned about