Pregnant and raising chicks.

[EggcitedMommy]

Hi Everyone,

My family and I just moved out to our new home in the country with 8 acres of land. We have always planned to get
Chickens and raise them from when they are
Baby chicks. I ordered our baby chicks and we are suppose to be getting them at the end of February. We have a little surprise we found out that we are pregnant surprise!!smile.png. Now I don't know if it is ok to care for chickens while
Being pregnant etc. Yes i know women have done it for years but what is the best way to care for them while being pregnant and how do you make sure the eggs are safe to eat? I will be doing this myself and Hubby has no interest in it. So wondering if I should start it now our in Oct after baby is here.

 

[littlelune810]

I don't think it should be a problem. I have 2 children and with each pregnancy the only animal I was heard of causing issues was cats... Something to do with the litter box. I dont have cats anyway. I would just be sure to wash your hands after any contact and you should be ok. I'm sure you should probably also cook your eggs through to be safe as well. You can also take any questions to your midwife or OB but I think you will be fine.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The hand washing is important of course. Critical even if not pregnant.
I would also suggest always wearing a particle mask when dealing with changing the brooder bedding or coop bedding. Chickens are DUSTY and no one should be breathing all that dust in.

I too only know of cats being an issue due to something with the litterbox.
I agree asking your care provider is a great start.
You may find that as your pregnancy progresses you are not able to carry heavy bags of feed or shavings. Is your hubby going to be willing to assist you as needed in this?
Mostly just common sense and you as well as your unborn child should be just fine.

 

[lazy gardener]

If in your shoes, I'd much rather get my flock up and running now, early on in the pregnancy. You are NOT going to want to be tending chicks after your baby is born. One full time job at a time is enough! Good hand washing is a must, as well as the recommendation to wear a mask when handling litter or in the coop. I also recommend that you brood them outside, get your coop ready first, and you can brood them right there! Check out: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/yes-you-certainly-can-brood-chicks-outdoors

As far as eggs, I'd much more trust an egg produced in my back yard than one from the store.

 

[Hufflefluff]

In regards to the cat comment, I have heard the same thing, although extending to chicken poop. If your husband wouldn't mind too much, it might be better to have him clean out the coop. The book "The Joy of Keeping Chickens" by Jennifer Megyesi had a section on raising chicks while pregnant (I think. I've read so many chicken books the knowledge all kind of melds together xD) Otherwise, I would just recommend a google search and extra vigilant hand washing. (I dunno, I've never had this problem)
Congratulations!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Agreed, if your hubs could clean up after them, that would be best. The danger of cleaning out a cat box is toxoplasmosis. With chickens, its histoplasmosis. You'd most likely be alright if you wore a mask while working in the coop, and you should wear one anyway, preggers or not. But if hubby could take care of it, even better.