I can I go to a farmyard, right?

[highlove]

Sorry if this is a ridiculous question. Thinking about going to a kid's farmyard thing today - presumably so long as I'm careful about washing my hands afterwards and avoid any petting it's fine?

They usually have messages up, I think it's the goats!? just don't touch those and make sure you all wash hands carefully.. U will be fine! Have fun

I did a few times with my first Babba. I didn't touch any animals, think the main issue is baby lambs. It should have signs up tho for pregnant women to inform them. I also washed my hands often and took my own anti bac gel! Xxx

You'll be fine, just make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after touching if you want to touch. We have chickens and there are times when I still have to pick them up. Of courses mucking out is a no-no .

I think its pregnant sheep that could be an issue. why dont you do a quick google.
bound to be decent advice on nhs website...

Yes, don't touch the animals and wash hands thoroughly (not just the gel) after helping the kids. You'll be fine.

I have been told to avoid farmyards completely by our consultant, but I have a history of mmc, mc and other complications, so that's probably why.

I'm an agricultural scientist and have often had to write risk assesments for members of my team who have been pregnant and who have had to visit farms.
You should be fine provided you don't touch the animals as people have already said, but also do not touch the gates to pens or lean on fences as this can also be a hazard, so perhaps wear gloves which can be washed afterwards, like cheap fleece gloves? I would also wear shoes which could be washed down with disinfectant/detol afterwards, such as wellies.

One of the main risks is from ewes during lambing season (Jan - April usually) but there are also risks from chickens, turkeys, goats etc for other reasons. Here is a link to the NHS website with info on avoiding sheep.
www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/934.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=131

This may be a bit overkill, but to be honest even when I wasn't pregnant I would have done the above, as there are all sorts of things you can pick up from just leaning on a farmyard fence - ringworm for one. Hmmm, just realised this makes me sound like a complete germphobe, sorry!

Yes, I did, but I didn't go into any enclosures with lambs - there's a toxo risk. ILs village is a large farming community and the farming families take the risk seriously, so I did too.

Just don't lick newly delivered sheep!

Seriosuly, the risks are low and there are usually plenty of warning signs. (Our local one has oodles of them, plus a spoken warning to 'stay at the back' at the start of the springtime 'feed the lambs' sessions).

I think the advice about wearing gloves is good - you are far less likely to put a gloved finger into your mouth and generally more
likely to notice your hands and therefore their hygiene.

The single most important thing is thorough hand washing at intervals during the visit, and the end of the visit, and on arrival home.

There are risks and you should take them seriously: here

I'm very rural, know loads of farmers and have several big animals. Even farmers wives tread very carefully over this.
I'd be very careful.

Oh my, I had no idea about this! I'm around goats, chickens and sheep every day! They just roam free where I walk my dogs! I'm now paranoid about all the times I've touched them, and what about the dogs paws?? Will there be harmful stuff on them too?

Farmer's wife here! We keep sheep, when i was expecting I had as little as possible contact with the pregnant ewes and newborn lambs as possible. DH washed all his outdoor clothes himself, I didn't touch them at all in case of any contamination. It's all about being aware and washing hands properly etc

Another farmers wife. Hubby has been uber concerned and careful never sees me when he's in overalls, washing work clothes lots and keeps his hands clean (he does all the washing up). We try to have inside/outside shoes. Just don't touch animals, and be wary of poo/pregnant/ recently delivered ones.

Wet wipes and antibacterial hand wash before food if you can't wash your hands.

Enjoy!