Caring for Chickens While Pregnant: What Expecting Moms Should Know

Raising chickens can be a fun and rewarding experience, even during pregnancy. But when you're thinking of getting pregnant, you're not really thinking about how you're going to take care of your chickens while pregnant. And when pregnancies go awry, your first thought may not be your exposure to chicken poo. Chickens can carry certain germs that may be risky during pregnancy. With the right precautions, you can continue to enjoy your flock while protecting yourself and your baby.

Why It Can Be Risky for Pregnant Women

Chickens and their droppings can carry bacteria and parasites that don’t harm the birds but can be dangerous for humans—especially pregnant women. Here are some of the common infections to be aware of:

• Salmonella: Found in chicken droppings, salmonella can cause vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and dehydration. In severe cases, it can affect the pregnancy.
• Listeria: While more often linked to food, listeria can sometimes be present in areas where animals live. It can lead to miscarriage, early labor, or serious illness in newborns.
• Toxoplasmosis: This is rare with chickens, but it can still be caught through contact with contaminated soil, bedding, or droppings—especially if cats are nearby. Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy can lead to birth defects such as brain damage, seizures, hearing loss, learning problems, or blindness. Some babies may not show signs at birth but could develop issues later on. Toxoplasmosis falls under TORCH infections in pregnancy and are transmitted directly from the mother through the placenta and then to baby. TORCH infections can cause stillbirth, miscarriages, heart defects, growth retardation and developmental delays.
• Avian flu (bird flu): Though extremely rare in backyard chickens, avian flu can be serious if caught and may cause severe illness in pregnant women.

How These Infections Affect Mother and Baby

Pregnancy naturally weakens a woman’s immune system, making it easier to get sick. Some of these infections may feel like a bad stomach bug, but they can be much more serious for the baby. Potential risks include:

• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Early delivery
• Low birth weight
• Brain or eye damage in the baby

Safety Tips for Pregnant Chicken Keepers

The good news is that expecting mothers don’t need to give up their flock. A few extra steps can make chicken keeping much safer.

Always Wash Hands

Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling chickens, eggs, bedding, or tools. Avoid touching the face before washing up.

Be Careful with Eggs

Eggs should be collected daily and handled gently. Dirty eggs can be cleaned with a dry brush or sandpaper. They should always be fully cooked—runny yolks are not safe during pregnancy.

Avoid Coop Cleaning

Someone else should clean the coop, especially when it comes to droppings or dusty bedding. If cleaning it is your only option, use the protective gear below.

Protective Gear to Use Around the Coop

Personal protective equipment (PPE) helps reduce exposure to harmful germs. When entering the coop or doing chores, you should wear:

• Disposable gloves – to avoid direct contact with germs
• A face mask or N95 respirator – to prevent breathing in dust and particles
• Dedicated coop boots – that stay outside the home
• Long sleeves and pants – to protect skin from dust and feathers
• Safety glasses – to keep particles out of the eyes

Do Chickens Know When Someone Is Pregnant?

While there’s no scientific proof that chickens can tell when a woman is pregnant, some animal lovers believe that birds may notice changes. Chickens might respond to a different scent, voice, or energy. Some chicken keepers have even noticed their birds acting more gentle or curious around expecting mothers. Even if chickens don’t truly "know," they can definitely notice changes in behavior. Plus we'd like to think our feathery friends will help welcome our new little one to the flock.

Extra Tips for Staying Healthy

• Never kiss chickens or hold them close to the face
• Keep the coop clean and dry to reduce germs
• Avoid the coop when there are cuts or open wounds
• Let someone else care for any sick birds

Final Thoughts

Chickens can still be a part of life during pregnancy. With good hygiene, proper protection, and a little extra help, you can stay safe while enjoying your flock. It’s always a good idea to talk to a doctor about any health concerns during pregnancy, especially when working around animals.

With the right care, both you and your baby can stay healthy.