Does anyone keep ONE chicken in the house?

[MargaretAnneHK]

Now I don't intend on this being a permanent solution but of shipped eggs, ONE hatched and Im not putting it out by itself. I do plan on getting chicks later in the spring but for now this little one is inside. I know all about the poop and dust having had a brooder inside. I know chickens are flock animals, I just want to find a way to do this temporarily and for it to be happy. He-she will be around ME a lot but I'm not a replacement for a flock lol.

 

[R2elk]

Now I don't intend on this being a permanent solution but of shipped eggs, ONE hatched and Im not putting it out by itself. I do plan on getting chicks later in the spring but for now this little one is inside. I know all about the poop and dust having had a brooder inside. I know chickens are flock animals, I just want to find a way to do this temporarily and for it to be happy. He-she will be around ME a lot but I'm not a replacement for a flock lol.

Things that have been used to help care for times when a single chick is hatched are:

Add a feather duster (with feathers spread open to allow the chick to crawl in among the feathers) to the brooder.

Add a small soft stuffed animal.

Add a toy mirror or two.

 

[N F C]

You might be surprised at how many people keep house chickens (and keep them in the house permanently. Here's a long thread devoted to them:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/299187/people-with-house-chickens/4010

@R2elk has given you some good tips on making your single chick content.

 

[MargaretAnneHK]

Thank you both!! I really appreciate it. He-She is doing well and such a friendly little baby. Its not difficult to get attached.

 

[N F C]

Thank you both!! I really appreciate it.

He-She is doing well and such a friendly little baby. Its not difficult to get attached.

Not hard at all, chicks (chickens in general) are very easy to get attached to.

 

[MargaretAnneHK]

I just got back from town with everything to set the brooder up. No, lol, it does not escape me that I bought a 50 pound bag of feed for one little chick. He/she ate and drank and is now sleeping. Only for now I have the brooder in my room until the baby is a little bit bigger. I feel better that way, this may sound silly, but kind of like when my kids were first born, I couldn't put them off in a room by themselves. Of course in a week or so when I know it's out of the woods pretty much danger wise, the laundry room will do...
I don't need the dust and poo in my room!

 

[MargaretAnneHK]

Well the stuffed animal is out lol. The baby didn't like it at all and tried to get to me when I attempted to introduce it. The baby prefers me or the dog. Nyla ( Neapolitan Mastiff) is of the opinion the chick is HERS. She is so good with things smaller than her. (Which is the majority of anything! )