Does anyone have a house chicken?

[Farmgirl283420]

Just wondering does anyone have a house chicken if so tell me all about it I'm very curious about it!

 

[tlcmurphy]

Only if the back door doesn’t latch correctly, then the 3 of them March right in.
In a related topic, my husband is finally inspired to fix the darn door….

 

[Tonyroo]

When I did have a bantam rooster as a house chicken. He only spent most of his time sleeping in his cage or playing with my dog. Then when I did my morning chicken chore he would follow me out from his cage to the coop. He just followed behind me down the stairs. And hung out with my standard size chickens all afternoon. Unfortunately while I was at work a neighborhood cat snagged him. Broke my heart. But it was definitely doable to keep a house chicken, especially with bantams.

 

[Beckys Birds]

I have a house chicken, and though I have to clean 3x as much, I wouldn't change a thing. She's a big ol' Light Brahma hen, because of course she couldnt be a bantam like normal people have.
Her crate is in the living room, on top of the dog's crates, so she is never alone. I have MS and am on disability, so I'm home 90% of the time. I have an old cat tree that sits in front of the front door that Coconut hangs out on most of the day. We go outside almost every day, so she gets outside time, even though im not sure she enjoys it. She is a very happy chicken. I think she is under the impression she is more dog than chicken, though. She has a diaper, but she's not a huge fan of it, so she goes without it most times. The cat tree she hangs out on is covered with a puppy pad and an old towel. I clean up her poo when I see it, she normally just poos on the towel covering the tree. The reason Coconut is a house chicken is because she was a "failure to launch." She was raised in the house, like all my chicks are, with 5 other chicks. It makes it so I can interact with them throughout the day and makes the chicks very friendly and laid back chickens. I physically can't go outside as much as it is required to care for tiny chicks, because of the MS, especiallywhen it's hot. My husband also doesn't like me outside alone incase I fall and can't get back up. It's happened. We live on a few acres in Kentucky where our neighbors can't hear each other, and 911 is 30-45 minutes away. I can get heat stroke and die before they could rescue me. So anyway, We put the 6, 12 week old, chicks outside into Gen Pop. Coconut freaked out and got stuck in the electric fence net, ripping out a bunch of wing feathers. She was trying to get away from all the other chickens, even though introductions started weeks prior and went well. The other chickens couldn't care less. Coconut just wanted to come back inside with me. So, she got her wish while she healed. Two weeks later, we tried again to reintroduce Coconut. Have you ever heard a chicken scream in terror before? Yeah. It was heart-rending. My husband told me to just put her back in the house. That's how I ended up with a giant, messy, lovable, house chicken.
I'm not exaggerating when I say Coconut is an introvert. She refuses to even be near the other chickens when we go outside and let the outside chickens free range. Coconut goes as far away from them as she can get, and if one gets to close, she screams and pecks at them like a little psycho! Otherwise, she is very quiet in the house. When we go out to our fenced in front yard, she hangs out with my 4 dogs. Never unattended! I'm always right there, and the dogs leave her be. She's pecked the crap out of them before, so they are all a bit cautious around her, and actively ignore her.
The only time she gets loud is when the dogs are loud, it's like she is joining in on the barking. I find it hilarious! Her crate is almost as large as my two big dog's crates, I think her's 42x28x30 and the dog's are Great Dane sized. She has mirrors, a roost, a swing, pumice stone for her beak, and a xylophone. She's pampered, for sure! She gets all the good snacks, too. I'm sure she knows how amazing she has it, and that's why she refuses to assimilate with the other hens. House chickens aren't for everyone, and not every chicken is happy to be in the house. So if you want to have a house chicken, I'd advise you to seriously evaluate the chicken you want in the house.

 

[Farmgirl283420]

I have a house chicken, and though I have to clean 3x as much, I wouldn't change a thing. She's a big ol' Light Brahma hen, because of course she couldnt be a bantam like normal people have.
Her crate is in the living room, on top of the dog's crates, so she is never alone. I have MS and am on disability, so I'm home 90% of the time. I have an old cat tree that sits in front of the front door that Coconut hangs out on most of the day. We go outside almost every day, so she gets outside time, even though im not sure she enjoys it. She is a very happy chicken. I think she is under the impression she is more dog than chicken, though. She has a diaper, but she's not a huge fan of it, so she goes without it most times. The cat tree she hangs out on is covered with a puppy pad and an old towel. I clean up her poo when I see it, she normally just poos on the towel covering the tree. The reason Coconut is a house chicken is because she was a "failure to launch." She was raised in the house, like all my chicks are, with 5 other chicks. It makes it so I can interact with them throughout the day and makes the chicks very friendly and laid back chickens. I physically can't go outside as much as it is required to care for tiny chicks, because of the MS, especiallywhen it's hot. My husband also doesn't like me outside alone incase I fall and can't get back up. It's happened. We live on a few acres in Kentucky where our neighbors can't hear each other, and 911 is 30-45 minutes away. I can get heat stroke and die before they could rescue me. So anyway, We put the 6, 12 week old, chicks outside into Gen Pop. Coconut freaked out and got stuck in the electric fence net, ripping out a bunch of wing feathers. She was trying to get away from all the other chickens, even though introductions started weeks prior and went well. The other chickens couldn't care less. Coconut just wanted to come back inside with me. So, she got her wish while she healed. Two weeks later, we tried again to reintroduce Coconut. Have you ever heard a chicken scream in terror before? Yeah. It was heart-rending. My husband told me to just put her back in the house. That's how I ended up with a giant, messy, lovable, house chicken.
I'm not exaggerating when I say Coconut is an introvert. She refuses to even be near the other chickens when we go outside and let the outside chickens free range. Coconut goes as far away from them as she can get, and if one gets to close, she screams and pecks at them like a little psycho! Otherwise, she is very quiet in the house. When we go out to our fenced in front yard, she hangs out with my 4 dogs. Never unattended! I'm always right there, and the dogs leave her be. She's pecked the crap out of them before, so they are all a bit cautious around her, and actively ignore her.
The only time she gets loud is when the dogs are loud, it's like she is joining in on the barking. I find it hilarious! Her crate is almost as large as my two big dog's crates, I think her's 42x28x30 and the dog's are Great Dane sized. She has mirrors, a roost, a swing, pumice stone for her beak, and a xylophone. She's pampered, for sure! She gets all the good snacks, too. I'm sure she knows how amazing she has it, and that's why she refuses to assimilate with the other hens. House chickens aren't for everyone, and not every chicken is happy to be in the house. So if you want to have a house chicken, I'd advise you to seriously evaluate the chicken you want in the house.View attachment 3519245View attachment 3519250View attachment 3519251View attachment 3519253

That is an amazing story!!! I love it she seems super sweet! All my chickens except the one I rescued are lap chickens but they live outside the rescued one is coming around she tried to climb on my lap once but she tripped and got off still she follows me around and is very sweet! Again I love coconut and would love to hear more about her if you feel like sharing!

 

[Tonyroo]

I have a house chicken, and though I have to clean 3x as much, I wouldn't change a thing. She's a big ol' Light Brahma hen, because of course she couldnt be a bantam like normal people have.
Her crate is in the living room, on top of the dog's crates, so she is never alone. I have MS and am on disability, so I'm home 90% of the time. I have an old cat tree that sits in front of the front door that Coconut hangs out on most of the day. We go outside almost every day, so she gets outside time, even though im not sure she enjoys it. She is a very happy chicken. I think she is under the impression she is more dog than chicken, though. She has a diaper, but she's not a huge fan of it, so she goes without it most times. The cat tree she hangs out on is covered with a puppy pad and an old towel. I clean up her poo when I see it, she normally just poos on the towel covering the tree. The reason Coconut is a house chicken is because she was a "failure to launch." She was raised in the house, like all my chicks are, with 5 other chicks. It makes it so I can interact with them throughout the day and makes the chicks very friendly and laid back chickens. I physically can't go outside as much as it is required to care for tiny chicks, because of the MS, especiallywhen it's hot. My husband also doesn't like me outside alone incase I fall and can't get back up. It's happened. We live on a few acres in Kentucky where our neighbors can't hear each other, and 911 is 30-45 minutes away. I can get heat stroke and die before they could rescue me. So anyway, We put the 6, 12 week old, chicks outside into Gen Pop. Coconut freaked out and got stuck in the electric fence net, ripping out a bunch of wing feathers. She was trying to get away from all the other chickens, even though introductions started weeks prior and went well. The other chickens couldn't care less. Coconut just wanted to come back inside with me. So, she got her wish while she healed. Two weeks later, we tried again to reintroduce Coconut. Have you ever heard a chicken scream in terror before? Yeah. It was heart-rending. My husband told me to just put her back in the house. That's how I ended up with a giant, messy, lovable, house chicken.
I'm not exaggerating when I say Coconut is an introvert. She refuses to even be near the other chickens when we go outside and let the outside chickens free range. Coconut goes as far away from them as she can get, and if one gets to close, she screams and pecks at them like a little psycho! Otherwise, she is very quiet in the house. When we go out to our fenced in front yard, she hangs out with my 4 dogs. Never unattended! I'm always right there, and the dogs leave her be. She's pecked the crap out of them before, so they are all a bit cautious around her, and actively ignore her.
The only time she gets loud is when the dogs are loud, it's like she is joining in on the barking. I find it hilarious! Her crate is almost as large as my two big dog's crates, I think her's 42x28x30 and the dog's are Great Dane sized. She has mirrors, a roost, a swing, pumice stone for her beak, and a xylophone. She's pampered, for sure! She gets all the good snacks, too. I'm sure she knows how amazing she has it, and that's why she refuses to assimilate with the other hens. House chickens aren't for everyone, and not every chicken is happy to be in the house. So if you want to have a house chicken, I'd advise you to seriously evaluate the chicken you want in the house.View attachment 3519245View attachment 3519250View attachment 3519251View attachment 3519253

It's great that it's working for you, a x-large house chicken just means more poop. But as long as you can keep things tidy it should never be an issue.

But I would suggest that you try to get her to dust bathe often if it's possible. It will keep her feathers and skin in good condition and substantially reduce her dander in the house.

 

[Beckys Birds]

It's great that it's working for you, a x-large house chicken just means more poop. But as long as you can keep things tidy it should never be an issue.

But I would suggest that you try to get her to dust bathe often if it's possible. It will keep her feathers and skin in good condition and substantially reduce her dander in the house.

Yup. We stay on top of all the poo. Like I said, it's more cleaning with her in the house, but I do that anyway because I have 4 dogs and a cat that are all inside pets. I also have no carpet or rugs in the house, because eww.
Two of my dogs are 65 lbs each, one a Huskey/shepherd/golden/GS Pointer mix (read a crap ton of fur), and an AmStaff. The two small dogs are a 15 lbs Boston Terrier and a 14 lbs Chihuahua/rat Terrier (also read a lot of fur). Then the cat who sheds when you just look at him...
You could brush my two furry dogs and the cat 3x a day and the fur would still be a thing. And it's not their diet, because they eat high end grain free kibble mixed with raw. I don't have human kids anymore, my bonus kids are grown and moved out, so I just have my animals.

My house doesn't stink. I've had strangers come into my house and tell me how nice it smells. I don't burn candles or have any fake fru-fru scents in the house. I just clean.

As for the dust bath... please tell me how to get my species dysphoric chicken to act like a chicken and bathe herself? You can lead the chicken to a dust bath, but you can't make her bathe. We've tried several different types of bath material and she just stands there looking at me. She has even watched the outside chickens AND the little chicks all take dust baths, but she won't.
My house chicken isn't physically challenged, she is mentally challenged.

 

[Beckys Birds]

That is an amazing story!!! I love it she seems super sweet! All my chickens except the one I rescued are lap chickens but they live outside the rescued one is coming around she tried to climb on my lap once but she tripped and got off still she follows me around and is very sweet! Again I love coconut and would love to hear more about her if you feel like sharing!

Coconut says thanks! I have lots of Coco stories. She is a crazy girl. If I laugh, she mimics me, and it is adorable! She talks back to me when I talk to her, she knows her name and will come when I call her. She really isn't a fan of being outside, and if you leave the door open, she will walk right in and flap into her crate. For being dumb in the ways of chickening, she is really smart. I love interacting with her. Right before she started laying eggs, she went through an angsty teenager stage, where she did NOT want to be touched or picked up, and heaven forbid you made her go outside. I was seriously considering just plopping her vicious self outside with the other chickens, that's how antisocial and mean she was. But then she laid her first egg. She did a complete 180 and turned back into her loving, cuddly self, and even started "asking" to be put on her cat tree. When we are home, her crate door is opened in the morning so she doesn't fell locked up. She never jumps out of her crate on her own, unless she is hungry and we are late with her feed. She's jumped, flapped, and slid across the living room to the cooler that holds the feed, when my husband opened the cooler to fill her bowl. She was impatient that morning!
House chickens aren't for everyone, but I'm in the position to properly care for mine, and mine is much more happy being inside than out. Silly girl that she is.
Don't mind the dirty bedding. Saturday's are crate cleaning days. She poses for pictures, too.

 

[TwoCrows]

Coconut says thanks! I have lots of Coco stories. She is a crazy girl. If I laugh, she mimics me, and it is adorable! She talks back to me when I talk to her, she knows her name and will come when I call her. She really isn't a fan of being outside, and if you leave the door open, she will walk right in and flap into her crate. For being dumb in the ways of chickening, she is really smart. I love interacting with her. Right before she started laying eggs, she went through an angsty teenager stage, where she did NOT want to be touched or picked up, and heaven forbid you made her go outside. I was seriously considering just plopping her vicious self outside with the other chickens, that's how antisocial and mean she was. But then she laid her first egg. She did a complete 180 and turned back into her loving, cuddly self, and even started "asking" to be put on her cat tree. When we are home, her crate door is opened in the morning so she doesn't fell locked up. She never jumps out of her crate on her own, unless she is hungry and we are late with her feed. She's jumped, flapped, and slid across the living room to the cooler that holds the feed, when my husband opened the cooler to fill her bowl. She was impatient that morning!
House chickens aren't for everyone, but I'm in the position to properly care for mine, and mine is much more happy being inside than out. Silly girl that she is.
Don't mind the dirty bedding. Saturday's are crate cleaning days. She poses for pictures, too.
View attachment 3519342

She's adorable!

 

[Skipper Carnes]

I LOVE COCO!!! MAKE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL ABOUT HER AND TELL THOSE COCO STORIES!!!