Do's and dont's for a "living room" coop? Building housing indoors?

[chickbea]

There have been folks right here at BYC who have had house chickens. I haven't seen them on here in a while (although BYC has gotten so big it's hard to keep track of everyone!).
I know that those who did have them inside didn't house them in a coop, they let them wander free. They solved the poop problem by putting diapers on them. You can do a search for chicken diaper patterns, just don't confuse them with saddles/aprons, which serve a different purpose.
If you do keep them inside you are going to have to find a way for them to satisfy their natural urges to scratch and dustbathe - maybe with a sandbox or something. If you have an extra bathroom you aren't using you could fill the tub with sand/dirt, I suppose.
For health reasons you should find a way to let them get out on occasion and eat bugs and vegetation and whatnot - the more varied the diet the healthier the chicken, IMHO.
My girls don't live inside unless they are sick, but on summer evenings we leave the front doors open and the girls will wander in and out and visit with everyone. It is cute. However, I don't let them come any further than the tile entryway; poop on the carpet is not nice...

 

[al6517]

I am chiming in on the side of NO !!!! not a good idea, in fact a bad one. An indoor coop ?? you needn't worry about what your friends and family think as after their first visit to your very fragrent home they won't be back. The house chicken huggers cult will soon chime in as to the fact that it doesn't stink because they have it figured out..........

. Truth is you will be used to the stink if it's in your own home but others will not, now you may be one of those who doesn't care about what others think of your smelly house and that's great because you won't have many visitors to worry about. I just think it's also bad to deprive the birds of their natural enviroment and instincts to do what chickens do and they can't do that in a coop next to the couch. I hope you reconsider but if you happen to not come to your senses good luck whatever you decide. and buy some stock in air freshner LOL.

 

[jim0526]

Quote:
X2. Don't do it. I think you'll regret it.

 

[Judy]

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Especially this, IMO.

 

[FireTigeris]

The feather dust is bad to breath, if they are confined in there own dust and dirty they will get sick.

Each time feathers grow in they make 'feather dust' the protective shell on the feather rubs off in a fine powder- it is bad to breath and for electronics.

It is very light and floats far away from the enclosure, if you must keep them inside look at the designs of some of the reptile cages (more floor space then 'flight'space) the wider and longer the better.

Martins does custom cages if you are willing to pay for them.

(I got one for my rats)

 

[Michie]

Is it possible to try the garage instead of "the house?" I live in a neighborhood, with an HOA so my chickens are a secret, but we still have 2 coops out there! lol Only my direct neighbors know about them. We do however have a rooster who just learned to crow last week, (24wks) I realize he will need to be rehommed, but right now(hes soooo sweet and fluffy-cochin) I bring him in the garage and put him in a large cage around 11p, turn on the lights in the garage at 730am, he crows, then he goes back out at 9am(doesnt crow anymore, as of yet lol). I realize its nuts to go through all this but I really really want to keep him! Realisticlly he will prob start to crow more, and will be rehommed quickly so he doesnt compromise the secret of the girls!

 

[cafarmgirl]

Quote:
Especially this, IMO.

X2!!

 

[MassivelyScrambled]

I agree with all the other posters here...inside is NOT a good idea. As to your neighborhood rules... I would get rid of the rooster.... and quick before someone complains and you have to get rid of all your chickens.

 

[smokinjay]

Quote:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/wcssto...110926-_-CNTR_COL_5-_-Online_Event_Salmonella

 

[ontimeborzoi]

There is a reason you haven't been able to locate a thread on "In Home Chicken Coops"!! Omigosh, the dust from feathers goes *everywhere* and in HUGE quantities, and the smell, yikes.
Lots of people start chicks in their homes, or bring in an injured or ill chicken, but trust me, the birds go back outside at the first opportunity and its not because we don't love them. They are not gigantic parakeets.