During this time of year, the Sutter-Yuba Mosquito and Vector Control District uses them to test areas of the region for West Nile virus.
From April through November, Garrison is chasing chickens to test their blood. She teams up with Zach Samay, an ecologist, to get the task done.
The control district partners with landowners and farmers. Farmers supply the chickens and there are seven coops strategically placed around the Yuba-Sutter area to test from.
The process allows the control district to know which areas to focus on. After the rainbow-colored samples are collected, the chickens go back into the coop for the night.
So far, so good this season, but Garrison said they don't usually start seeing positive samples come in until July.
"There are a few of them I can identify by just the sound of their voice," Garrison said.
"They're kind of doing an extra special little favor for us. They're our little working chickens. Not only do they lay eggs and pay rent that way, but they also make it so we can find West Nile in areas where we might not by just capturing mosquitoes and testing them," she said.
Between 2003 and 2021, there were 74 cases across Yuba-Sutter.
"It's kind of a debilitating disease. Some people, when they get it, are asymptomatic. But for some people, it can be fatal. So I love having a part in making sure more people don't get infected," Garrison said.
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