raising chicks while pregnant

[FarmDreamer]

is it safe? I know when pregnant you are not supposed to mess with kitty litter but I assume it's because of the litter not what is left in the litter from the cats, kwim? I am due in april and want to get chicks before I have my baby, hopefully have them out of the brooder and in the yard before the baby comes. Our last frost date is april 20th around about but I would like them outside by April 1 as I am due April 7, is this ok/safe?

 

[Casey3043]

The problem of Kitty Litter is not the litter itself, but it is a disease carried by cats called toxoplasmosis. It is present in their feces. It can cause problems in the unborn child, some not evident for many years. Pregnant woman should not handle litter or change the litter box. Cats carry this disease without showing any signs of it. Just for the record, I had four kids and handled lots of cat litter, and all my boys are grown and fine. It's just a precaution. In those days, people didn't know about it. You can always wear rubber gloves, too.

I don't know of anything about chicks that would be dangerous to you or to your baby. Good luck with everything!

 

[evonne]

what casey said about the cat litter....
yep....
and they're actually finding that if you've been around cats a long time that it isn't even that big of an issue... i cleaned cat litter with no gloves during all 3 of my pregnancies too... the boys are fine... or at least i seriously doubt their issues are related to cat littler.. lol...

i would probly be careful about cleaning the coop and breathing in the dry poop dust... and i only say that becasue they say pidgeon poop is toxic... but i have nothing to base this on... would be the only thing i could think of....


other thing i would think would be a problem with chicks would be bending over to play with them all the time... just get a nice bench to put near your coop.. or in your coop with a cover that you can remove when you want to sit.. lol...

i haven't had chickens through the winter yet, and we don't even get a real winter by most peoples standards, but i think they say after they're fully feathered they can go outside, but do it gradually so you don't shock their systems... i'm sure more people will chime in who have more experience...

good luck with all your new babies!! human and bird

 

[Kanga77510]

Quote:
With regards to the cat poop, the disease comes from cats who kill and eat outdoor prey. It also comes from eating it's own feces (which I've never seen a cat do). If your feline friend has been inside her whole life, and you haven't introduced any new friends, you're probably safe from the disease.

Onto the baby chicks. I've found starter feed to have an odor to it. Not a strong one, but it's different than the stuff my hens eat. Maybe its the grinding or something. Anyway, it might smell extra potent to you, so you might want to have someone else handle feeding for a while.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Yep. They say if you've already been exposed before, then it's not going to be a problem if you are exposed later while pregnant.

All those years growing up with outdoor cats and having a sand box. I'm pretty sure I have built up a big immunity to that toxi-whatever!

 

[mommyof5]

How funny, I just asked my OB/GYN the same question. After she stopped laughing and commented that she had never been asked that question before she did a little research and got back to me.

1. If you can't find any one else to scrape the poop boards or clean the coop, use a mask(easily found at any hardware store)to protect from any "dust" and airborne particles. Also let the coop air out before you get to work, no matter how much you love them some days they just stink!
2. Lifting those heavy bags of feed is a no no.
3. Wash your hands after loving on your feathery babies.
4. Just use common sense, chickens and pregnant women have mixed for centuries with out any reported problems.
5. A delivery of one dozen eggs is requested at every appointment, and will ensure a healthy, pain free delivery.(not totally sold on that one though.)

So good luck with your baby and get those chickens.

 

[ChickensRCool]

Ask your OB/GYN. Mine told me that you can get lots of nasty stuff from them. So, my husband used that as an excuse for HIM to have all the fun with the chickens.

 

[Emilys3guppies]

I'm not sure about chicks.

As far as toxoplasmosis...you can have your blood tested for immunity to it. If you are already immune then you can change the litter without worry to your incubating babe. If you are not immune, them remember to wear a mask and gloves if you change the litter.

Sometimes toxoplasmosis doesn't present itself until much later in life. My mother was diagnosed with a brain lesion on her front brain lobe, at the age of 45, that is the result of toxoplasmosis while inutero (my grandmother had 15 cats while pg with my mom!). The lesion isn't dangerous, but the point is that we don't know the effects of these things sometimes until much later (took her 45 years!). But, another point is that everything causes cancer nowadays and to just be reasonable and practice moderation in all things (except chickens, there can never be too many of them).

 

[kittykorat]

I got my chicks the last weekend in August. I was due October 9th.
I took care of the chickens, cleaned the brooder, played with the chickies, etc.
I washed my hands after handling the chickens or cleaning up after them.

My daughter arrived on October 10th. She seems to be a prefectly healthy normal baby.

 

[katethegreat]

LOL! I'm due April 7th too, and have the same plan. We're planning on getting a back yard flock of 8 or so in February/March (hopefully February). I've heard as long as the chicks have gotten their "real" feathers (I'm new, forgive the ignorance) they can be put outside. That said, I've already accepted that I may have an extra 8 "guests" as part of my homebirth team! They'll stay on our enclosed porch in their brooder so I can't imagine they'll be too much trouble. I suppose if you're going to the hospital and will have to stay for a while that might be a problem to leave them home alone for any length of time with no care giver.