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A question came up while a friend and I were discussing feeding our crocodilians. I'm keeping a couple of small crocodilians for my friend and he has requested that I do not feed his animals raw chicken as he is afraid of the animals picking up salmonella. I feed all of my crocodilians (babies included) raw (but previously frozen) chicken. I think his original thought was that the chicken was raw and sitting as I get a lot of it free from a friend of mine at a local grocery store (which is usually 2 days before the due date of the chicken). My question is, can crocodilians even get salmonella poisoning? I have never heard of it.. He was also worried about parasites in the chicken, but I can't see this being possible considering it's human grade eating chicken.

Thanks.

Matt

Personally, I think your friend's logic is rather flawed. First of all, I've never heard of a case of salmonella poisoning of ANY species of a crocodilian. That would be a rather wierd case to have for an animal that survives off of raw meat of various types. As far as parasites...all farmed meat is no different. The only difference for us obviously is the fact that we cook our meat before consuming it. Crocodilians do not require this (thank goodness). Being that just about every long-term croc keeper across the nation provides raw meat of various types to their crocodilians without issue...I find your friend's concerns to be quite unnecessary.

Just my opinion,

Chris

>>A question came up while a friend and I were discussing feeding our crocodilians. I'm keeping a couple of small crocodilians for my friend and he has requested that I do not feed his animals raw chicken as he is afraid of the animals picking up salmonella. I feed all of my crocodilians (babies included) raw (but previously frozen) chicken. I think his original thought was that the chicken was raw and sitting as I get a lot of it free from a friend of mine at a local grocery store (which is usually 2 days before the due date of the chicken). My question is, can crocodilians even get salmonella poisoning? I have never heard of it.. He was also worried about parasites in the chicken, but I can't see this being possible considering it's human grade eating chicken.
>>
>>Thanks.
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>>Matt
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Thanks Chris, I was about 99.9% sure this was not possible, but I always leave room for the benefit of doubt! I think my friend has come to realize that it's a safe procedure as well.

Matt

I believe they can be exposed to salmonella. Whether or not it is harmful to you as a person would depend on your immune system. I have handled and gotten pooped on by thousands of chicken fed alligators in my life and have never gotten S. enterosis. But I have a strong immune response. Theoretically its possible, but highly unlikely in my opinion.