An indoor stealth coop?

[canada-goose]

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I know you can make it work!

 

[KattyKillFish]

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if you have the proper bedding for them and change it regularly along with changing their diapers more than once daily, there is almost no stink at all

you would have to put your nose right on the chicken and sniff to smell any stink. they made a mess with the pine shavings but for me its no problem sweeping them up and putting them back in.


the only reason i dont have Goldie and hihi inside is because my mom doesn't like it. i had them in a night time dog crate and let them run around the house as they pleased all day. if course it was VERY important they i let them outside for a while during the day so they could have some sun, bugs and grass. they are a year old now, fully feathered and they only went into the coop with the others a few weeks ago. poor dears hate it out there

i can tell they want back inside. they are such sweethearts.

 

[Candachan]

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I'm looking into different kinds of bedding and bedding additives that would both reduce smell and not be toxic.

I'm a fan of the idea of using zeolite and dried plants as a natural deodorizer. Also they would not wear diapers for very long, maybe a few hours each day when I let them roam the place freely outside of the run. I've also thought of using deodorizers in the diapers themselves! (I've heard of people using feminine liners

)

 

[KattyKillFish]

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I'm looking into different kinds of bedding and bedding additives that would both reduce smell and not be toxic.

I'm a fan of the idea of using zeolite and dried plants as a natural deodorizer. Also they would not wear diapers for very long, maybe a few hours each day when I let them roam the place freely outside of the run. I've also thought of using deodorizers in the diapers themselves! (I've heard of people using feminine liners

)

i used regular pine shavings

they make a mess of it.

 

[silkydragon]

my neighbors used to keep roosters in her house had a roost for them in the middle of her dining room/kichen they only pooped on the paper under their perch she rarely let them out when she went out to do morning chores she fed them treats like icecream i used to visit them all the time cuz she could go out to the bird feeder and have a robbin land on her finger or a wild squirrel come out of the tree and let her hold it she had a coop full of chickens and kept most of her yard fenced off for the dogs she is only person i know that has ever actually saved a wild baby rabbit after tilling over its nest it lived well into adulthood but she died last yr or i would ask her how she got her roosters to only use the restroom in 1 spot cuz i would like to keep a silky in my house

 

[GraceAK]

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Was your neighbor Cinderella? That's amazing!

 

[bantybev]

hmmm...well...I happen to have a banty roo, and 2 hens in an extra large dog crate in my sun room right now. They have been there for a bit over a month. I didn't plan it that way...my aunt died and I inherited them...(long story) We started their coop and outdoor run, but due to the weather not cooperating and the really short days here in Michigan (and the fact that neither my husband nor I are carpenters, by any means of the word) the coop is about 2/3 done. Looks like we might have to finish it in the Spring. The banties were raised in Virginia and we feel it is, maybe, too late to acclimate them at this point for this years harsh winter.
My three have been a pleasure. I have Stall Dry and pine shavings on the floor over newspapers. The tray pulls out for easy cleaning , and I have yet to smell them at all. The area around the cage is wood flooring and has to be swept up daily from the shavings that they toss out while scratching through for treats. I have a poop board under the perch we added and I get 1 or 2 eggs everyday.
I have 2 parrots in my living room...and these little "livestock" have been no more messy, or smelly than my other 3 birds. My parrots are definately noisier, too

He copies the roosters crow...only 5 times louder now.

My mother couldn't believe it at first. She had chickens growing up and always thought they were smelly. She is a fastidious housekeeper with with an extra sensitive nose. She is amazed that they don't "smell up my house"... lol
So...I believe it can be done, especially if you hand raise them from day old chicks.

 

[cameldairy]

GOOD LUCK if you go this way, I think you will be making yourself more work than you need to! (because I will soon have rental property. I am thankful that you have brought this up, I will be sure to add this to my "not going to happen list" in MY rental home agreement contract!!)

I already have personal experience with this. My brother, was letting one of my sisters live in his mobile home, she purchased some chicks and then low and behold they grew up and was STILL in the home! He found out that they were there, and how they were "being chickens in a mobile home all day while she was at work" he kicked her out! Luckily the chickens found there way to a stable nearby that already had a bunch of misc. chickens. They are seeming to thrive in an outdoor setting much more! She on the other hand, still needs....blah, blah, blah................................................

 

[Mattemma]

When I did a google for swheat scoop and chickens I came across a blog of a lady who built an indoor pen for her hens.It wasn't stealth but nice and pictured step by step.

Lol,the other day I was imagining my 2nd bathroom as a winter coop.Some have used their basement.I used part of a side room off a garage until I needed it to house cats.

Best wishes whatever you decide on!

 

[annie3001]

i wonder how smelly even a diaper would be? goood luck tho