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

[Appalachickens]

Look into a company called Kavee cages. I have an indoor bantam chicken I rescued and built out a 3 x3' cage from Kavee and have different blankets from them that I change out every week. I also have chicken plushies, scrunchies, etc that she loves to play with. I will tell you that having a chicken in the house is not going to be easy. And if you're having more than one, I would probably advise you not to do it. I never leave my home for more than 4 hours at a time due to not wanting my chicken to live in filth and not wanting my home to smell. They have cecal poops that look like pudding and stink to high heaven due to ammonia. I absolutely adore my chicken but will always need to work from home now. Whatever you decide to do, remember that taking on a chicken is a commitment. They will love you and you can't take that love lightly. You can't rehome them without heartbreak. Honestly after living with my chicken for the past three years, I would say unless you have one rescue indoors, don't do it. Good luck though...

You haven't gone away even for a day in three years? So definitely no such thing as a vacation or a night out with friends? I mean no offense, I'm just trying to wrap my mind around that.

 

[Appalachickens]

This is an interesting thread. I've got 9 little ones in the garage right now and I'm eager for them to feather out so they can go outside and live regular chicken lives. I just can't imagine them truly being okay in a super-confined space long-term. Even a coop and run has it's downsides in terms of unnatural confinement. I have "enrichment" in the run (things to climb on and perch, leaves to root around in, and so on), but it would be more natural for them to be outside and I do plan to free-range them when possible, and eventually have chickens that live outside in the woods full-time.

Aside from the effects on the birds themselves, there is plenty of research that shows indoor birds being linked to respiratory illness (such as bird-related hypersensitivity pneumonitis) in humans. It's even been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. I'm not talking I-read-it-on-Facebook "research," I mean published studies by the NIH. If you are considering keeping any bird inside, you really should check on pubmed to see what reputable studies have found. I'm here to tell you cancer is not a fun ride - why deliberately increase your risk?

 

[Appalachickens]

Yeah but I don’t think we’re allowed to use that word for it. I asked if the roosters used them “romantically” and got an affirmative answer.

Really? Is this like on YouTube where you have to use the euphemisms "unalive" and "pewpew"? Seems weird to be able to talk about breeding and poop but then have us all be delicate Victorian ladies about other words.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Really? Is this like on YouTube where you have to use the euphemisms "unalive" and "pewpew"? Seems weird to be able to talk about breeding and poop but then have us all be delicate Victorian ladies about other words.

Hahaha no I just remember something in the community guidelines about talking about things…romantic…in nature. Im sure it wasn’t talking about mating chickens or amorous quail or whatever but better to be on the safe side.

 

[TOMTE]

Really? Is this like on YouTube where you have to use the euphemisms "unalive" and "pewpew"? Seems weird to be able to talk about breeding and poop but then have us all be delicate Victorian ladies about other words.

Not quite that extreme, but since there are children on this site, certain topics are at least strongly discouraged, and swearing should be kept to a minimum.

 

[WildNectarine]

This is an interesting thread. I've got 9 little ones in the garage right now and I'm eager for them to feather out so they can go outside and live regular chicken lives. I just can't imagine them truly being okay in a super-confined space long-term. Even a coop and run has it's downsides in terms of unnatural confinement. I have "enrichment" in the run (things to climb on and perch, leaves to root around in, and so on), but it would be more natural for them to be outside and I do plan to free-range them when possible, and eventually have chickens that live outside in the woods full-time.

Aside from the effects on the birds themselves, there is plenty of research that shows indoor birds being linked to respiratory illness (such as bird-related hypersensitivity pneumonitis) in humans. It's even been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. I'm not talking I-read-it-on-Facebook "research," I meant published studies by the NIH. If you are considering keeping any bird inside, you really should check on pubmed to see what reputable studies have found. I'm here to tell you cancer is not a fun ride - why deliberately increase your risk?

In my unpopular opinion? Nature sucks. It’s all parasites and yuck, I like my sanitized little bird world, I’m weird. But I’ve never noticed any signs of stress in them, not one feather plucked, they and their happiness always comes first, so whatever I’m doing has to somewhat be close to right, and, according to my vets, they’re all in great health. And as far as the respiratory stuff goes, if people can smoke, I can have my birds in the house with a couple air purifiers.

 

[Appalachickens]

Not quite that extreme, but since there are children on this site, certain topics are at least strongly discouraged, and swearing should be kept to a minimum.

Ah, I did not realize there are kids on here. So I'll say "artificial romantic partner."

 

[TOMTE]

Yeah, this thread is interesting.

Like others, I'd advise against indoor chickens but ultimately it's up to you, so just make sure you do lots of research before you do it! I'd be interested to find out how it goes for you.

And just remember, domesticated =/= tame. Chickens are domesticated but that doesn't necessarily mean they're going to want to be snuggled or tolerate being treated like a pet. Like with any other animal, they're all individuals, but they're happiest when they're allowed to be chickens. Which means, generally, being left to their business of foraging (which can't reasonably be done indoors without an incredible setup, let's be real) and socializing with each other.

Has anyone brought up rescuing chickens from a shelter? Occasionally they will have barnyard animals in need of a good home. Might be worth looking into.

What kind of air purifiers do you have? With the amount of dust and dander that chickens create, you're either going to have to wash or replace the filters often. No reasonable amount of air purifiers is going to negate the dust issue created by chickens in a closed space. Is keeping up with that something you're willing to potentially spend a bunch of money on? Not only do you have your respiratory health to worry about, but birds have incredibly sensitive ones and are prone to respiratory disease and infection. So make sure there's plenty of ventilation too. Oh, and, drafts. If that room is drafty and you get cold winters, those chickens are going to feel the chill. So watch out for that and seal any drafts that you find.

...I really would recommend a couple parakeets or a few zebra finches or something instead if you really want indoor birds that you can bond with, though.

 

[Appalachickens]

In my unpopular opinion? Nature sucks. It’s all parasites and yuck, I like my sanitized little bird world, I’m weird. But I’ve never noticed any signs of stress in them, not one feather plucked, they and their happiness always comes first, so whatever I’m doing has to somewhat be close to right, and, according to my vets, they’re all in great health. And as far as the respiratory stuff goes, if people can smoke, I can have my birds in the house with a couple air purifiers.

Sure you can. You have the right to do it however you want. I'm just talking about known health hazards. I like to minimize health risks, so no birds inside for me. I wouldn't smoke either.

But nature sucks? Nature is not all parasites and yuck. It includes all the living world, including humans. Nature is, in fact, glorious and awe-inspiring.

 

[WildNectarine]

Sure you can. You have the right to do it however you want. I'm just talking about known health hazards. I like to minimize health risks, so no birds inside for me. I wouldn't smoke either.

But nature sucks? Nature is not all parasites and yuck. It includes all the living world, including humans. Nature is, in fact, glorious and awe-inspiring.

Sorry, not to me!