THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS WARNING FAMILIES TO BE CAREFUL OF SALMONELLA FROM BABY CHICKS OR OTHER BABY BIRDS. STATE PUBLIC VETERINARIAN DOCTOR PAUL ETTESTAD SAYS THE BIRDS CAN SPREAD SALMONELLA TO THEIR HABITAT AND ANYWHERE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO ROAM.
ETTESTAD TELLS 770 KKOB BABY CHICKS ARE GREAT FOR EGGS OR RAISING FOR MEAT, BUT THEY'RE NOT THE RIGHT PET FOR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY THOSE UNDER FIVE YEARS OLD.
LAST YEAR THERE WERE 19 CASES OF SALMONELLA POISONING RELATED TO BABY CHICKS AND THERE WERE FIVE HOSPITALIZATIONS.
