Think how strange it must have been when the first cats and dogs and birds were kept indoors. We have had to have a newborn lamb and a newborn kid in the house for a couple of weeks until they were eating and drinking and could rejoin the herd (runt with one and bad mom with the other). It was much like having a puppy in the house. I put diapers on them because I didn't want the mess. At least chickens stay small. My dogs wear bandanas. They love them and get excited to get a clean one. Again, to each his/her own. The chickens are well fed and happy and the owner is enjoying them. Might be a good solution for folks allergic to fur. My 2 cents.