enrichment/enclosure for indoor setup (plants,toys, etc)

[NatJ]

I also have to ask if you own your home or if you have a landlord because that might be the first thing to consider.

That is a good point, that I think all the rest of us had forgotten to mention.

Yes, definitely make sure chickens (or at least "pet birds") are allowed.

 

[townchicks]

I'm not going to weigh in on the indoor or out door thing, except to say I wouldn't personally do it. It does sound, though, that you may have some misconceptions, about chickens, and also the traditionally kept "pet birds". It sounds as though you want a bird that will be friendly and cuddly. I've had many pet birds in my life, as well as 9 years of keeping chickens. Here's the thing, none of them, domesticated or not, come sweet and cuddly. You have to put in time handling and building a relationship, whether chicken or parrot.
the sweetest, most loving bird I ever had was a cockatiel that I hand raised from a week old. She was so bonded to me that she knew the sound of my car in the driveway, and would call for me whenever I left the room.She loved to be handled, and have her head scratched. I've had birds that were friendly, and others that would panic when I approached. Same with my chickens. They will run to me when they see me, looking for treats, but few of them let me pick them up, and I don't think any of them "enjoy" it. Chickens, and birds in general, are still a prey species, with prey species instincts. "domestication" in chickens is not the same as dogs. You might be better off with a small handfed parrot type, they do form strong bonds, that are not all about food, unlike my chickens

 

[WildNectarine]

I'm not going to weigh in on the indoor or out door thing, except to say I wouldn't personally do it. It does sound, though, that you may have some misconceptions, about chickens, and also the traditionally kept "pet birds". It sounds as though you want a bird that will be friendly and cuddly. I've had many pet birds in my life, as well as 9 years of keeping chickens. Here's the thing, none of them, domesticated or not, come sweet and cuddly. You have to put in time handling and building a relationship, whether chicken or parrot.
the sweetest, most loving bird I ever had was a cockatiel that I hand raised from a week old. She was so bonded to me that she knew the sound of my car in the driveway, and would call for me whenever I left the room.She loved to be handled, and have her head scratched. I've had birds that were friendly, and others that would panic when I approached. Same with my chickens. They will run to me when they see me, looking for treats, but few of them let me pick them up, and I don't think any of them "enjoy" it. Chickens, and birds in general, are still a prey species, with prey species instincts. "domestication" in chickens is not the same as dogs. You might be better off with a small handfed parrot type, they do form strong bonds, that are not all about food, unlike my chickens

This “strong bond” you speak of is called imprinting, and it causes birds to have a warped perception of their world; they will see themselves as a person, not a bird, and you, their mate, that’s the only reason they “care” so much; in my opinion, manipulating a chick to believe in falsehood simply to have the “cuddly” experience is wrong, they live their lives eternally frustrated that they cannot nest and have chicks with you, and, you left out the part about hormones; in summer, or if the lights are left on to give them enough hours to make them think it’s summer, or, even if you offer them any kind of “nest”, they will go hormonal, and become far more aggressive towards you if you do not accept their advances. A chicken hen will likely never experience this, aside from broodiness.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

This “strong bond” you speak of is called imprinting, and it causes birds to have a warped perception of their world; they will see themselves as a person, not a bird, and you, their mate, that’s the only reason they “care” so much; in my opinion, manipulating a chick to believe in falsehood simply to have the “cuddly” experience is wrong, they live their lives eternally frustrated that they cannot nest and have chicks with you, and, you left out the part about hormones; in summer, or if the lights are left on to give them enough hours to make them think it’s summer, or, even if you offer them any kind of “nest”, they will go hormonal, and become far more aggressive towards you if you do not accept their advances. A chicken hen will likely never experience this, aside from broodiness.

Are you saying chickens aren’t birds? I’m confused with where this conversation has ended up. Correct me if I’m wrong but are you saying quail and chickens are good indoor pets and parakeets, cockatiels, etc are not? I have never kept any birds indoors except for brooding chicks in my laundry room once and never again lol.

 

[WildNectarine]

Are you saying chickens aren’t birds? I’m confused with where this conversation has ended up. Correct me if I’m wrong but are you saying quail and chickens are good indoor pets and parakeets, cockatiels, etc are not? I have never kept any birds indoors except for brooding chicks in my laundry room once and never again lol.

Then why are you giving advice on a post you know nothing about? I’m obviously not saying that chickens aren’t birds, but chickens have less pair-bonding instinct, and imprinting doesn’t have the drastic effect it does in parrot-type birds, though I highly suggest against imprinting still; and yes, quail and chickens make much better indoor pets, seeing as they’re already domestic and other birds are not; parrots are highly intelligent and need much more mental stimulation and attention than ground birds ever will, and most never get what they rightfully deserve, being pets and will self mutilate; give quail a clean space, sand, hay, a tunnel, foraging toys, and a plush to be their quail friend, and they’ll be happy for as long as they live. I’ve never had one bird pluck so much as a single feather.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Then why are you giving advice on a post you know nothing about? I’m obviously not saying that chickens aren’t birds, but chickens have less pair-bonding instinct, and imprinting doesn’t have the drastic effect it does in parrot-type birds, though I highly suggest against imprinting still; and yes, quail and chickens make much better indoor pets, seeing as they’re already domestic and other birds are not; parrots are highly intelligent and need much more mental stimulation and attention than ground birds ever will, and most never get what they rightfully deserve, being pets and will self mutilate; give quail a clean space, sand, hay, a tunnel, foraging toys, and a plush to be their quail friend, and they’ll be happy for as long as they live. I’ve never had one bird pluck so much as a single feather.

Just because I know nothing about keeping birds indoors doesn’t mean I know nothing about chickens. I’m sorry if you’re offended by my asking for clarification. Your getting defensive doesn’t really further the discussion.

 

[WildNectarine]

Just because I know nothing about keeping birds indoors doesn’t mean I know nothing about chickens. I’m sorry if you’re offended by my asking for clarification. Your getting defensive doesn’t really further the discussion.

I’m sadly the only one who’s furthered the discussion the poster actually wanted by recommending my favorite bird toy site. And I’ll further it again by recommending bird bath dishes and boot trays for large sand bath containers, pop-up cat tunnels, cardboard cat structures, and DIY guinea pig fleece forests, for play and hiding, hanging treat feeders, pet mobiles, and dog/cat slow feeding mats, for foraging, natural manzanita branches for perching, which are hard enough that you can simply sand poop off instead of having to dispose, and you can get in bulk at places like Manzanita dot com and Branches and More; The Bio Dude for seed pods, botanicals, cork bark, and so much more that could serve as clutter or foraging, alongside things like leaf litter, just be cautious of mold, make sure to bake/boil them; dollar store towels for simply whatever, because bird poop is very hard to wash out of fabrics; I could go on, and on, and on…

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I like the idea of the catio. Well, chickio, I suppose.

This would make sense in a ton of ways, allowing the chickens to get fresh air and look around, commenting on all the things that chickens comment about, plus reduce a bit of the Eau de Chicken inside. But depending on the style of apartment, it might not be feasible.

And another suggestion, if this is going to happen: maximum three chickens, consider bantams. (Edit: just reviewed the original post.) They need to have several other (chicken) companions. One would do, but if one died, it would be horrible for the survivor, so start with three, anyway.

Is there such a thing as a quiet bantam breed? I have a standard sized Easter Egger who is incredibly quiet 99% of the time, but when she's alarmed, or when she's singing her egg song, it sounds like the Apocalypse is starting up. Apartment neighbors would be pissed, and rightly so.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I’m sadly the only one who’s furthered the discussion the poster actually wanted by recommending my favorite bird toy site. And I’ll further it again by recommending bird bath dishes and boot trays for large sand bath containers, pop-up cat tunnels, cardboard cat structures, and DIY guinea pig fleece forests, for play and hiding, hanging treat feeders, pet mobiles, and dog/cat slow feeding mats, for foraging, natural manzanita branches for perching, which are hard enough that you can simply sand poop off instead of having to dispose, and you can get in bulk at places like Manzanita dot com and Branches and More; The Bio Dude for seed pods, botanicals, cork bark, and so much more that could serve as clutter or foraging, alongside things like leaf litter, just be cautious of mold, make sure to bake/boil them; dollar store towels for simply whatever, because bird poop is very hard to wash out of fabrics; I could go on, and on, and on…

I also made a suggestion. This topic pops up often on here. And it is usually before anyone has checked with their landlord lol. Pet parakeets are fine in apartments, etc, but since chickens aren’t even supposed to be within 25 feet of a residential space when housed outdoors in a coop (depending on local ordinances) I think that needs to be addressed before we design an indoor aviary.

 

[Bawkbok]

Interesting discussion here. Emotions are obviously all over the place. People are going to do what they want, regardless of advice or suggestions from experienced folk. Their decision.

Allowing them to fly all over your dwelling is an option I suppose, but who would do that? Good luck cleaning up the constant poop. If a bird is not given the opportunity to fly inside their caged dwelling, if not large enough, they're still not allowed to do their natural thing.

I don't suspect God made birds with wings to be indoor pets.