As urban homesteading continues to explode in popularity, and as more and more reports are issued about the potential dangers of antibiotics in poultry and store-bought eggs, more and more people are trying their hand at raising backyard poultry. Studies have shown that backyard chickens provide many benefits: They not only provide eggs and meat, but they also reduce insects and are low-maintenance composters and weed eaters. Many agree that backyard eggs taste better than store-bought eggs, because they are true “free-range” chickens that are fed a healthy diet of greens and insects.

However, despite the benefits of raising backyard chickens, there are still risks that need to be considered before you attempt such an undertaking.

Chickens Spread Diseases

Salmonella and Campylobacter are common public health hazards that are often associated with chicken contact. All chickens carry these bacteria, regardless of health, and they are communicable to humans through direct contact, exposure to chicken manure, or consumption of undercooked chicken. People who contract these diseases experience diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps, and young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems are susceptible to even more severe illnesses.

Because of this, housing chickens in your yard carries the potential hazard of spreading salmonella because there is a likelihood of coming into contact with their droppings. It’s wise to keep young children away from chickens and to wash hands carefully with soap and water after handling the birds, avoiding hand-to-mouth contact while working with the birds, and educating yourself about food safety and handling of the eggs once they’ve been laid. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise households with children under the age of five not to keep chickens in their yards, and no one who has chickens in their yards should allow them into the home, not even baby chicks.