Why You Should Eat (Well-Cooked) Chicken and Eggs Despite Bird Flu
To prevent consumer fears, Kentucky Fried Chicken has started putting stickers on all their containers in the U.S. guaranteeing that their fried chicken is "rigorously inspected, thoroughly cooked, quality assured."
From China to Indonesia, Turkey to Trinidad, KFC and other chicken restaurants have seen business drop as people become afraid of bird flu. The poultry industry in Europe is deep trouble as many consumers there have stopped eating chicken and eggs.
Should you stop eating chicken and eggs to avoid bird flu?
Yes, if you're eating raw or undercooked chicken or other poultry. One reason that Vietnam has more cases of bird flu in people is that they like to eat a delicacy -- raw duck blood pudding. One of the ways the Vietnamese government used to get bird flu under control is to discourage the preparation of this dish. So that's partly why Vietnam has not reported any bird flu cases in people so far in 2006.
Therefore, it's definitely good advice to not eat raw chicken (or duck).
Since most people around the world eat their chicken cooked not raw, the most common risk from eating chicken comes from first slaughtering, de-feathering, eviscerating and cooking infected chickens. This puts you in contact with the dead bird's blood and vital organs and you could become infected with H5N1 in this manner.
Well cooked chicken meat and eggs are safe to eat if cooked properly, according to a joint statement issued by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). They issued this statement in December 2005 through the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN).
Cooked properly means the meat and eggs must be completely heated to 70 degrees Celsius or 158 degrees Fahrenheit, so there is no red or raw meat.
However, they also recommend that meat and eggs from chickens known to be infected with H5N1 not be used as food.
I've seen people ask, "If it's safe to eat chicken when it's well-cooked, why do they burn infected chickens instead of eating them, especially since those countries are poor and the people are hungry?"
Ask a government employee what CYA stands for. I'm sure that in Vietnam and Thailand they have different letters for it, but they understand the concept. Even in countries not run by lawyers, government officials understand they don't want to be blamed for people's mistakes.
That is -- if you give enough people dead bird flu infected chickens and tell them to make sure they cook the chickens thoroughly, some numbskull will NOT cook it thoroughly, eat some that's still pink and raw, get sick and die and their relatives will blame you.
If the relatives won't, the international press will. Since it's still a communist government, Vietnam probably doesn't care much that a few farming families would blame it for the failure of the relatives to properly cook the chickens.
But they certainly know how to play the PR game with the world press -- it's how they defeated the world's mightiest superpower, after all -- and so they don't want reporters from CNN broadcasting their bird flu deficiencies to the rest of the world.
To their credit, the government of Vietnam has realized that bird flu is a dangerous threat to their poultry and their people and therefore have taken stringent steps to bring it under control.
Furthermore, although properly cooked H5N1-infected chicken meat is not dangerous to eat, it is IS dangerous to prepare. A lot of documented cases of bird flu came from people handling the uncooked carcasses of infected birds.
So it is much safer to simply burn them. Nobody gets to eat them, but that prevents anybody from getting sick from eviscerating and cooking them.
If you do cook chicken, separate the raw meat from any cooked or ready to eat foods, to avoid any contamination. Do not chop them up on the same board or with the same knife. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap in between handling the meat and afterward. "Thoroughly" means for at least 30 seconds.
Wash all plates and utensils carefully and thoroughly.
Then wash your hands again and rub a germicidal hand lotion such as "No-Germs" or isopropyl alcohol on your hands.
To be completely safe, let Kentucky Fried Chicken or any other restaurant cook the chicken for you.
Therefore, KFC and other such places are actually the safest way to eat chicken.
Source: Free Articles
Autor: rickstooker
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How To Raise Chickens
Whether you have chosen to raise chickens as pets, food, or for game there are certain factors you need to keep in mind when beginning your project. Because they are relatively easy to maintain, chickens have long been the first choice for most people attempting to raise their own food. A decision must be made early on, preferably before acquiring your flock, whether you are going to use them for eggs, food, or both.
The first step in preparing for your new animals is making sure there is ample room for the number you plan on acquiring. The chicken house does not require anything fancy or specialized, only safe, dry, and clean. You will need to include perches for night time roosting as well as nesting boxes for them if you plan on collecting eggs. Including a cover on your pen from chicken wire, or whatever you choose will protect them from flying predators and also keep them safely inside of the enclosure. When choosing the location for the chicken, try to allow for ample grass areas as well. If the coop is roughly eight feet by twelve feet, you will need to have approximately double the amount of grassy area to suit. The chickens will probably eat the grass, and they need this area to catch bugs and scratch in the soil.
Offering easy access to clean food and water is imperative to their general health and you can find and water dispensers at most feed stores. These are designed with cleanliness and sanitation in mind. Depending on the type of hens you are going to have, there are different style feeders to suit any special needs. The food used to feed them can be obtained at feed stores as well, and can be chosen to also suit the brood you acquire. Whether you have smaller hens or larger ones, they will need supplements as well as the addition of certain vitamins to aid in producing healthier eggs for human consumption. Grit aids in digestion, and crushed oyster shell helps their eggs develop strong shells as well. These items are all available at feed stores also.
Choosing your hens is strictly up to you, and since there are such an extremely large amount of different varieties, the choices are nearly endless. A little research will go a long way in aiding you in your choices, and educating yourself on the best brooding hens, or best producers, etc. will also benefit you when the time comes to choose your breeds. Before deciding on whether or not you will have a rooster, it is imperative that you consider all aspects of having one. A rooster is not necessary for the hens to lay their eggs, the eggs will simply not be fertilized, however they will continue to lay regardless of whether or not there is a rooster present. Keep in mind that roosters are strutting loud creatures, and can cause problems for you if you live in a relatively busy or crowded area. Close neighbors may not enjoy the early morning noise or the annoyance of hearing a rooster so frequently, so remember to think it completely through before purchasing one. Finding some excellent information before proceeding with your plans is wise and can give you some of the best results. You can find all your chickens and many other animals and birds at www.chickenauctions.com LOOK A THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF CHICKENS NOW!
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Raising Chickens - First Steps
There are many benefits to raising chickens; they can make great pets, they provide natural bug control, they give you several eggs each week (and potentially meat), and they provide endless hours of therapy and enjoyment in watching them cluck and peck around.
For many people, raising chickens is their first step to becoming more self sufficient. Chickens need relatively little care, but there are a few things you may want to consider before placing your order:
Do you have the space: A coop needs to allow at least two square feet per chicken and they will also need a secure run allowing at least three square feet per chicken (the bigger the better - particularly if they won't have a chance to free range safely). Their coop doesn't have to be anything palatial, but some care will need to be taken to ensure that it is dry, free of drafts and safe from predators.
Do you have the time: Chickens need relatively little care, but they do need to be locked into their coop safely at night, and let out again in the morning. They also need fresh water and feed every day, and the coop should be cleaned out regularly.
Cost: In terms of the monetary cost of feed and bedding, hens usually more than pay for themselves with their eggs (not to mention the enjoyment they bring as pets). The cost of buying or building a coop and run however, may take a few years for them to 'earn'.
How many: How many chickens really depends on how many you think you would like, have the space for, and can look after. Chickens have a group mentality so having at least two or three is better than having just one. With most egg laying breeds you can expect to get four to six eggs per week from each hen (this number will probably decrease as they get older). You don't need to have a rooster to get eggs but if you want one then the normal ratio is one rooster to every ten hens.
Neighbours: Some local areas have rules on keeping chickens so you should always check for any restrictions before building / buying your coop. Even if you are allowed to get chickens, it may be a good idea to have a word with the neighbours first if they are very close by - particularly if you are thinking of getting a rooster.
Free Ranging: Chickens enjoy being able to free range, but if they are not in a secure area, and / or you are unable to keep an eye on them, it is not always safe for them to do so (predators, including your local neighbourhood dogs, can make their presence felt very quickly). If you are able to free-range safely then nothing in your garden is safe - they will eat / dig up / dustbathe in everything! If they can't free range safely then they will need a secure pen - fresh air and exercise is as important to a chickens well-being as it is to our own.
So there you have it! A few first steps towards raising chickens in your backyard. I hope you enjoyed this introduction to raising chickens.
You can find a lot more information and tips on how to raise chickens at my blog http://successwithpoultry.blogspot.com
© 2008 Gina Read
Gina is the author / editor of a free monthly keeping chickens ezine full of raising chickens tips, articles and subscriber coops and photos. http://www.keepingchickensnewsletter.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gina_Read
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How to Build a Backyard Chicken Coop
Growing chicken is not only a great experience for families with children, but also an excellent way to get fresh eggs, remove bugs from your yard, and get some much needed natural fertilizer for your garden. In order to provide the best environment for your home grown chicken, you should learn how to build a backyard chicken coop. The process is simple, but you need to make sure you have everything you need.
This is where your chickens will eat and sleep. Your coop will also need to keep them safe from potential predators. It is possible to buy a pre-made chicken coop and that is a good option for you if you have the money and don't have the time to build one on your own.
The first thing you need to do is come up with a plan. It is important to take a count of how many chickens are going to be in the coop as well as how large they will get when they reach maturity.
Other considerations are:
- How many nests you plan on putting in
- How many feeders you will need room for
- Where to put water and how many you need
- How many windows will give your chickens enough sunlight
Beyond choosing exactly what you'll need to go in your chicken coop and how much room you will need it is also helpful to make sure you choose a good terrain to build on. Definitely don't choose one that is hilly or rocky. Also, consider an area that will have the right sunlight conditions and keep the number of threats to a minimum. Be sure you have more than enough space cleared to build on.
After you're sure of those basics you can really begin to plan. Draw up a blueprint of your chicken coop. You need to draw to scale so you can make sure all your measurements will be accurate. Include all of the components like windows, feeders, and nests. This will help you get a visual on what the outcome will be.
Once you finished drawing your plans up you can start to buy the materials. At the bare minimum you will need:
- 2 X 4 wood pieces
- Concrete cinder blocks
- Chicken wire
- Insulation
- Nails and screws
- Saw
- Hammer
- Anything else you have included in your plans
Now the real fun can begin! Once you have your plan and your materials you can start to build your backyard chicken coop. Follow your plan and put in extra effort to make sure everything is sturdy. Do remember to leave areas for ventilation but also seal everything up to keep predators out.
It's not hard to learn how to build a backyard chicken coop, and the end result will be perfect for you. Soon enough you'll have chickens in your backyard and you can brag to friends and family about the wonderful coop you built.
Be sure to visit http://www.betterbackyards.com to learn more about how to create the backyard of your dreams.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adriana_Copaceanu
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