Backyard Flock Health: Bird Flu, Salmonella and Safe Eggs
Keeping hens means two kinds of care: protecting the birds from disease and protecting your household from the birds. Both have simple routines.
By the Egg Cost Check team · Published 2026-10-19 · Updated 2026-10-19
Protect the flock: bird flu biosecurity
USDA APHIS: Defend the Flock explains that avian influenza can spread through infected birds, contaminated equipment, clothing, vehicles, feed or water, and that wild birds can bring it to domestic flocks. USDA APHIS: Biosecurity Basics gives a short routine, framed as four questions to ask before you enter the flock area:
- Are my clothes and shoes clean?
- Are my tools and equipment clean?
- Have I washed my hands?
- Are visitors limited to people who need to be there?
It also advises keeping birds protected from wildlife and pests, cleaning and disinfecting equipment often, and watching for changes in behavior, appetite, egg production, breathing or sudden death.
If birds are sick or dying
USDA says to report sick or dying birds to your state veterinarian or to call USDA toll free at 1-866-536-7593.
Protect your household: Salmonella
CDC: Backyard Poultry advises:
- Wash hands with soap and running water after touching birds, their area or equipment, and after collecting eggs.
- Keep a pair of shoes just for the birds and leave them outside the house.
- Do not kiss or snuggle birds and then touch your face or mouth.
- Keep birds and their equipment out of the house. Clean cages, feeders and waterers outdoors.
- Children under 5 should not handle chicks, ducklings or other poultry, and adults should supervise their handwashing.
Handle eggs the safe way
The CDC's egg advice:
- Collect eggs often.
- Throw away cracked eggs.
- Do not wash warm, fresh eggs. Remove dirt gently with fine sandpaper, a brush or a cloth.
- Refrigerate eggs after collecting them.
- Cook eggs until the yolk and white are firm, to at least 160°F (71°C).
What this costs
Dedicated shoes, hand soap, sanitizer and cleaning supplies are small, but they belong in other monthly costs in the calculator. A plan for a sick bird belongs in your budget too. Read the pre-purchase checklist.
Sources
More guides
- Are Backyard Chickens Cheaper Than Buying Eggs?
- Backyard Chicken Startup Costs: What to Budget For
- How Much Feed Do Laying Hens Need? A Simple Way to Budget
- Before You Buy Chickens: A Practical Checklist
How we write: we link the sources we use, we label examples as examples and we do not claim hands-on results we have not had. See our method. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.