apartment chickens?

[Cocky]

I think that chicks are good inside pets, but not chickens. They stink really bad, and I've never heard of someone training a chicken not to "do their business" inside.

Just my two cents worth, but I think it is a bad ide to try and have a pet chicken inside...much less more thn one.

 

[silkiechicken]

When I started college 3 years ago I though I'd get rid of some chickens... well I went down to 10 birds... and closed shop.... well... now am up to between 20-30 birds again... or if you count chicks at the same time up wards of 50 birds at a time...with back orders on eggs all over again! However, I go home every weekend.


I say two tiny bantams in a large rabbit type house would do ok in an apt if you have the time when you get to school.

I may end up having to downsize the flock again and closing up shop again after I get this degree, as making it home every weekend might not work anymore for my next degree/next job.

So I too am thinking of indoor chickens if possible. Or borrowing someone's land or coop if I am too far away from home to care for my regulars.

Someone on here keeps all her show birds inside in large kennels. At least a dozen birds. Each has their own cage. However, she does live in a home as an apartment probably would not allow pets.

 

[seagullplayer]

Regardless of what some chicken lovers may say, you might want to consult your roommate first.

Or pray for a roommate whose nose does not function.

 

[chickensforever]

I don't think it's a very good idea, because chickens need vitamin D from the sun. I imagine you could find supplements, but getting everything naturally is always best. Also, chickens deserve to scratch in the dirt and take dust baths; a towel/shavings on the bottom of a dog kennel doesn't really count.

I wish it were easier, because I'm in college right now and really pet-deprived in my dorm, but I'll wait until I have a backyard. Maybe you can find a pet better suited for living inside.

 

[patandchickens]

Gee, in most places I've lived it is hard to find affordable apt's that allow cats... good luck on a chicken. And it would be rather likely to get noticed, if only thru sound.

The problem with having an 'illegal' (not allowed by landlord) pet is that when (and it often IS when, not if) they find out about it, at best you have to get rid of it immediately (and how would you do that?) and quite often they can kick your keister out on the street and keep your deposit. You can really complicate your life and screw up some animal's life too...

On the other hand, the idea about finding someone with whom you could 'board' a nearby chicken may be a good one. You'd want to set that up *before* actually getting said chicken however!

Good luck,

Pat, who was a student for a long time and has lived in a number of different college towns

 

[Churkenduse]

I read an article about this, as long as you confine a banty it's ok. I used a dog pen for my little chicks before they went outside that might be a thought to keep them in. I found a box a little larger and slipped the pen in the box so the dirt was confined in the box. ? Since Bantams do not like the extreme cold this is a good alternative.

Good luck, I would love to do this myself one day. Can you imagine walking to the bedroom (?) to get your breakfast eggs?

Kewl!!!

 

[Picco]

Have you looked into button quail? They are chicken-like and would probably fair better than chickens inside. They are very small and can be kept in a large aquarium.

 

[Chickemee]

Quote:
You do make some pretty good points, but I still have years before I go to collage so I'm gonna just worry about my current flock for now.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Maybe go do a semester or two at college and see how it works before you bring in a pet.

I teach at the college level and many, many, many of my students that have pets end up not having time to take care of their pets. Our local shelter stays at capacity and puts down 30-60 animals a day. Many more pets go back home to live with parents. I myself have an abandoned ferret left by a student busted by a landlord.
College is very busy! In addition to classes and homework, there are all sorts of things to do. Part of college IS the extracurricular activities. That's how you learn and grow and expand your interests.
Try it first and then see how your schedule works out. It would be terribly sad to get a pet chicken and then have to give it back up.