Salmonella and free range chickens

[mdd7000]

Someone had asked me for info about this a while back. I can't remember who. I can't find the newer research that essentially said the same thing. If I do find it, I will post it as well. It went into more detail as to the "why".

This is a report from the USDA about the incidence of salmonella in free range chickens vs caged chickens. The reading is a little dry...

[url][/url]http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/36509/1/IND44295179.pdf

(for those on dial-up, the pdf is about 23k in size)

The summary follows:

"There are many reasons that consumers may
choose to purchase free-range, all-natural, or organic chickens,
but based on the results of this study, consumers should
not assume that the prevalence of Salmonella is lower for
these chickens than for conventional commercial chickens."

Found the other article:
[url][/url]http://boss.hawaiireporter.com/free-range-versus-caged-animals-each-has-problems/

Good source material from each, BTW.

edit to add extra link

[alfastatik]

All chickens can get salmonella. The eggs can get salmonella coming out the egg duct. Instances can increase d/t population density as with all diseases. Global/National distribution can lead to global/national epidemics. Local distribution can minimize widespread outbreaks as is currently the case with the egg recall. Safest bet: Wash your eggs and cook them well.

Also be wary of any USDA/FDA findings as the bias is toward agribusiness and big-pharma.

Jeffrey Krepps
jevkreppsz@juno.com
Kurtistown, HI

[mailesomaha]

It was a very difficult decision for us when we were considering selling our eggs (or even giving them away) because we have so much.

We decided only to give them to friends and neighbors who sign a paper saying they agree to treat them for salmonella if they so choose and to not hold us liable. But still...... they could own our house if someone gets sick. It's a crazy world and I'm envious of those brave enough to sell them.