Why Do Backyard Chicken Eggs Make You Sick?

Backyard chicken eggs are tasty and nutritious since backyard chickens forage on various foods, including insects, out there. However, backyard chicken eggs can make you sick at times.

These eggs are prone to salmonella contamination and dirt. In addition, the eggs from backyard chickens can make anyone who is allergic to chicken eggs fall ill.

1. You are Allergic to Chicken Eggs

You can get sick after consuming backyard chicken eggs if you are allergic to chicken eggs. Most people get allergies after eating backyard chickens within a few hours. In addition, most people with egg allergies also report developing allergy symptoms upon consuming foods containing backyard chicken eggs.

Allergies from backyard chicken eggs can take place both in infancy and adulthood. Signs and symptoms of backyard chicken eggs include hives, skin rashes, vomiting, and an array of digestive problems. Backyard chicken eggs allergies vary from one individual to the other.

Some people can experience mild allergy symptoms, while others experience severe symptoms. Skin inflammation is the most common allergic reaction that everyone with egg allergy experiences upon eating backyard chicken eggs. There are other severe symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

In extreme instances, you can suffer from Anaphylaxis after consuming backyard chicken eggs, particularly if you are allergic to chicken eggs. Anaphylaxis is a severe life-threatening condition. Symptoms of this condition include constriction of airways, rapid pulse, abdominal pain, and shock.

Various risk factors can increase your egg allergy risk after eating backyard chicken eggs. For instance, kids with atopic dermatitis, a type of skin condition, are more likely to have an allergy after eating backyard chicken eggs.

The family history is also a risk factor that can increase your allergy risk after using backyard chicken eggs. If there is a family member with a history of egg allergy, you are at risk of having an allergy and getting sick after eating backyard chicken eggs.

Age also increases the risk of falling sick and having allergies after consuming backyard chicken eggs. Children, for example, have a higher risk of developing egg allergies than adults. Luckily, children’s digestive system matures with age, and allergic reactions resulting from eating backyard chicken eggs are unlikely to occur as the kids grow older.

2. Eggs are Infected with Salmonella

Backyard chicken eggs are known to harbor Salmonella, a highly infectious bacteria. Backyard chickens tend to lay anywhere since most of these chickens lack designated nest boxes where they can lay.

As a result of laying randomly, their eggs are prone to Salmonella contamination. Eating backyard chicken eggs that harbor Salmonella will make you ill, whether you are allergic to chicken eggs or not.

If you experience fever, diarrhea, and stomach cramps after eating backyard chicken eggs, then you certainly have Salmonella infection from the eggs. Other symptoms of Salmonella infection include headache, vomiting, and chills.

Persons with Salmonella infections due to eating contaminated backyard chicken eggs can experience the various symptoms of Salmonella for days or even weeks.

It’s impossible to detect Salmonella by looking at the backyard chicken eggs. This bacteria can be on the eggshells and inside the eggs. Cooking your backyard chicken eggs thoroughly can help kill the Salmonella in the eggs.

3. You Used Eggs with Dirty Shells

Consuming backyard chicken eggs with dirty shells will also make you ill. The problem with using dirty eggs is that these eggs have loads of pathogens and bacteria, which will undoubtedly make you sick. Backyard chickens can lay on their droppings, making the eggs dirty and contaminated with Salmonella.

Good sanitary status can prevent your backyard chicken eggs from getting dirty. Ensure there aren’t heaps of dirt in your backyard to discourage your backyard hens from laying on such filthy heaps of dirt. In addition, keep all the outdoor nest boxes clean and litter-free to ensure your backyard chicken eggshells are clean throughout.

4. You Ate Damaged Eggs

Eating damaged backyard chicken eggs will make you sick over time. Damaged eggs have cracks on their shells. These cracks allow bacteria and germs to get inside the eggs. Your chances of falling ill after eating damaged eggs are high since you can’t tell whether there are harmful elements inside the eggs.

Although damaged chicken eggs may be safe to eat to some extent, eating damaged backyard chicken eggs is riskier since the possibility is high that the damaged chicken eggs could be carrying harmful germs and bacteria.

Therefore, these eggs aren’t safe for consumption, and you should consider disposing of the damaged eggs rather than eating the eggs.

5. You Ate Bad Eggs

Stale or bad eggs will undoubtedly make you sick. Ideally, eggs, including backyard chicken eggs, are suitable for consumption within hours of laying. Failing to collect your backyard chicken eggs daily will make the eggs go bad. The harsh weather conditions and temperature changes will make the eggs bad within no time.

Bad backyard chicken eggs are a haven for harmful bacteria that exposes humans to multiple illnesses, including food poisoning, diarrhea, and vomiting. They also have a terrible odor and an unpleasant taste.

Are Backyard Chicken Eggs Safe to Eat?

Backyard chicken eggs can be safe to eat, although not 100% safe. Since backyard hens eat plenty of food items outdoors, their eggs are certainly more nutritious than their indoor counterparts. However, these chickens can lay on Salmonella-infested areas, subjecting the eggs to contamination.

Overly, backyard chicken eggs can only be safe to eat if either Salmonella or other bacteria don’t contaminate them. Damaged backyard chicken eggs aren’t safe to eat since these eggs carry hazardous pathogens that are harmful to humans.

Luckily, you can make your backyard chicken eggs safe for consumption by cooking the eggs thoroughly and storing them properly to avoid damages. Most importantly, desist from eating backyard chicken eggs if you are allergic to chicken eggs.

Conclusion

Backyard chicken eggs have a high likelihood of making you sick. However, these eggs taste awesome, and they also boast loads of crucial nutrients. They are an amazing treat for those that don’t have egg allergies.