Claire Thompson
Chicken manure is a common garden fertilizer, but it can carry diseases that are harmful to humans. These include salmonellosis, an infection caused by Salmonella bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Another is Escherichia coli (E. coli), which becomes pathogenic when passed in chicken droppings. Some types of E. coli produce Shiga toxin, which causes disease. Cryptosporidiosis, caused by cryptosporidium parasites, can also be transmitted through chicken manure, leading to abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, and other symptoms. These infections are particularly dangerous for young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, it is essential to take precautions when handling chicken manure and to practice good hygiene, such as thoroughly washing hands and produce, to minimize the risk of infection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diseases caused by chicken manure | Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonellosis, Cryptosporidiosis, Campylobacter, Listeria |
| Risk factors | Root crops, leafy vegetables, fruits (e.g. strawberries) carry the greatest risk of fecal-oral route infection |
| Prevention methods | Wash and cook fruits and vegetables before consumption, compost chicken manure, wash hands after handling poultry or their environment |
| Symptoms | Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, lack of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, flu-like symptoms (headache, fever, muscle aches) |
| Treatment | Contact a healthcare provider, seek veterinary care for poultry |
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Salmonella
Salmonellosis is an infection caused by Salmonella bacteria. It causes diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and fever, usually within 12 to 72 hours after infection. Most people recover from Salmonellosis within a week, but infants, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals may develop severe infections that require hospitalisation.
To prevent infection, it is important to keep chickens and their surroundings clean. This includes frequent removal of damp litter and poop, especially during the warmer months to prevent bacterial growth. Washing eggs after collection is also important, and they should be stored in the fridge. If eggs are dirty, they should be cleaned with hot water or special egg-cleaning wipes.
Proper composting of chicken manure can reduce the risk of Salmonella infection. The Washington State University Extension recommends composting chicken excrement and coop bedding with a 1 part carbon (coop bedding) to 2 parts nitrogen (chicken manure) ratio. It is recommended to wait at least 90 days before consuming crops that have been fertilised with composted chicken manure, and up to 120 days for high-risk fruits and vegetables such as root and leaf crops.
In recent years, there has been growing concern over the use of antibiotics in broiler chicken farms, which has led to the emergence and transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria, including Salmonella. Studies have found significant amounts of Salmonella in chicken litter and manure, highlighting the potential risk of environmental and food contamination. However, one study from Thailand suggested that the use of dry pelleted chicken manure as organic fertiliser in shrimp ponds was unlikely to be a major source of Salmonella contamination.
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Campylobacter
The risk of Campylobacter infection can be reduced by following food safety guidelines, especially when handling raw meat. Meat and seafood should be thoroughly cooked, and meat should be cooked to the proper temperature. It is important to use caution when consuming raw fish, and it should be avoided if an individual is pregnant, over 65, or has a weakened immune system. It is recommended to choose pasteurized dairy products, as unpasteurized (raw) milk is a leading cause of Campylobacter infections.
Symptoms of Campylobacteriosis include diarrhoea, nausea, fever, vomiting, stomach cramps, and weight loss. Symptoms usually start 2 to 5 days after infection and last about one week. In rare cases, Campylobacter infections can lead to complications such as irritable bowel syndrome, temporary paralysis, and arthritis. Treatment is typically not required, except for electrolyte replacement and rehydration. However, in rare cases, antimicrobial treatment may be recommended.
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E. coli
Chicken manure is an excellent soil amendment that provides more potassium, calcium, nitrogen, and phosphorus to gardens than manure from other animals. However, it is important to take precautions to prevent diseases and parasites that can be passed through chicken faeces. Root crops, leafy vegetables, and fruits such as strawberries carry the greatest risk of faecal-oral route infection.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a group of bacteria that helps maintain a healthy intestinal tract in humans, chickens, and other animals. However, E. coli becomes pathogenic when passed in chicken droppings. Some types of E. coli produce a toxin called Shiga toxin, which causes disease.
Field trials have shown that fresh manure often sustains E. coli for weeks to months under real-world conditions. The nutrient-rich composition of fresh manure may support the extended survival of E. coli in soil. For example, E. coli can persist in soils amended with fresh chicken manure for up to 42 days.
Proper composting techniques for poultry litter are crucial for reducing antibiotic-resistant E. coli (AREc) and associated antibiotic residues. Composting chicken manure can reduce the amount of pathogens that come into contact with produce. Mechanical aeration and optimizing carbon-to-nitrogen ratios can significantly decrease AREc levels, improving manure quality and reducing the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
To prevent infection from chicken manure, it is important to practice good hygiene and properly compost chicken manure before using it in gardens. Thoroughly wash and cook fruits and vegetables to reduce the risk of infection.
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Cryptosporidium parasites
The first signs of illness in chickens infected with Cryptosporidium parasites usually occur within a week of infection. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, lack of appetite, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. Recovery from cryptosporidiosis can take up to a month. In chickens and other Galliformes, cryptosporidiosis is mostly a respiratory disease, although in turkeys and quails, it can manifest as gastrointestinal disease.
In humans, infection with Cryptosporidium parasites, known as cryptosporidiosis, can result in gastrointestinal disease. The parasite is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, often through direct contact with infected people or animals, food, and/or water. In children in Wuhan, China, subtypes of C. meleagridis, a zoonotic species of Cryptosporidium, were detected in diarrhoeic patients. This finding suggests that C. meleagridis subtypes are cross-transmissible between chickens and humans, highlighting the role of birds as potential reservoirs of zoonotic variants of Cryptosporidium.
To prevent infection with Cryptosporidium parasites, it is important to practice good hygiene and follow cleaning procedures. Proper composting of chicken manure can reduce the risk of infection by decreasing the number of pathogens that may contaminate produce. Washington State University Extension recommends composting chicken excrement and coop bedding with a 1:2 ratio of carbon to nitrogen, respectively, and waiting at least 90 days before consuming crops fertilized with composted manure.
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Respiratory disease
The respiratory system includes the mouth, nose, lungs, and the tubes that connect them. Occupational respiratory disease refers to diseases caused or exacerbated by something inhaled in a work environment, such as poultry dust. Symptoms of respiratory disease can include flu-like symptoms such as a headache, fever, and muscle aches. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent breathing problems, disability, and an inability to work.
To prevent respiratory disease, employers and workers should follow the avoid, protect, and check approach outlined in the "Controlling exposure to poultry dust: An occupational hygiene standard of good working practice for poultry farmers" guidelines. It is important to note that poultry dust is not always visible to the naked eye, and a powerful microscope may be needed to detect certain organisms.
Some activities that create airborne poultry dust include laying down bedding, populating poultry houses with young birds, routine crop maintenance and cleaning, and litter/manure removal. Therefore, it is crucial to take precautions when performing these tasks to reduce the risk of inhaling poultry dust and developing respiratory diseases.
It is recommended to wear gloves and protective gear when handling poultry manure and to wash hands thoroughly afterward. Additionally, proper ventilation and respiratory protection, such as masks, can help reduce the risk of inhaling poultry dust.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken manure can cause several diseases, including Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Escherichia coli (E. coli).
These infections occur when you touch your mouth with your hands or other objects that have been in contact with chickens, their environment, or their manure.
Symptoms of these infections can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and, in severe cases, more serious illnesses that could lead to death.
