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Help, I've been adopted by a chicken and need advice!

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Nichola Cage

Nichola Cage

In the Brooder
Jan 2, 2016
4
2
42
Herefordshire, England
A chicken has moved into our garden, clearly well loved and healthy,I think it is a Sicilian Buttercup (possibly a cross) it is free to leave our garden, and often does so, but it keeps returning to us!. I'm trying to find its owners but in the meantime want to care for her. As she came over Christmas I couldn't get her special chicken food, but have fed her a mix of wild bird grain and seeds, metalwork and suet pellets which I normally give the garden birds. She seems to love it! The nights have been very mild here and she has been roosting on a tall planter next to the outside wall 8f our kitchen, where our burner makes the wall warm and snug! One night she slept on a windowsill and another night she rooster in a laundry basket full of straw. However tonight she won't settle and is trying to get inside the house! She keeps pecking at the bold doors and flying at the glass, making it really clear she wants to be inside with us. If I can't locate her owners I'd be happy to home her..she is really engaging and people friendly! I never realised chickens were such characters! I'd really appreciate any advice on all aspects,such as food, roots, coops etc...and what I can do to make her comfortable in the short term, I have left my barn door open, and the playhouses, the woodshed and the garden shed, but she won't go into any of them, and keeps trying to be with me....help! ..a chicken novice!
 
I just replied to your other post - so I'll add something here. The food you are giving her currently is certainly acceptable in the short term. If she is so determined to be inside, is there somewhere safe she can roost? bearing in mind that chickens poop - a lot! even when asleep. If you have a pet carrier or similar, that would be perfect.
It seems she is determined to be a house chicken - many people have house chickens. You can buy chicken 'diapers' for her to wear, you can even buy a walking leash/harness to take her for a walk if you are so inclined!
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Chickens are very personable and smart. They can be trained to do a number of things - there is an article here in the learning center on chicken training!
Keep us informed of her progress please!
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Thanks for your advice..my husband thought the chicken diapers were a funny idea! I'll try to get her into a shed or playhouse tomorrow but I think she might be lonely on her own, and that's why she wants to be in with us. I don't think I'll be able to make her an indoor chicken as we've just remodeled the house at great expense! I might have to look for a companion for her if I end up kéeping her! Great excuse eh? Thanks for the help..it'great to know you're out there supporting!
 
Nichola Cage said:
Thanks for your advice..my husband thought the chicken diapers were a funny idea! I'll try to get her into a shed or playhouse tomorrow but I think she might be lonely on her own, and that's why she wants to be in with us. I don't think I'll be able to make her an indoor chicken as we've just remodeled the house at great expense! I might have to look for a companion for her if I end up kéeping her! Great excuse eh? Thanks for the help..it'great to know you're out there supporting!
Click to expand...

Perfect excuse for getting her some company - 2-3 little ones in Spring....
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Nichola Cage said:
A chicken has moved into our garden, clearly well loved and healthy,I think it is a Sicilian Buttercup (possibly a cross) it is free to leave our garden, and often does so, but it keeps returning to us!. I'm trying to find its owners but in the meantime want to care for her. As she came over Christmas I couldn't get her special chicken food, but have fed her a mix of wild bird grain and seeds, metalwork and suet pellets which I normally give the garden birds. She seems to love it! The nights have been very mild here and she has been roosting on a tall planter next to the outside wall 8f our kitchen, where our burner makes the wall warm and snug! One night she slept on a windowsill and another night she rooster in a laundry basket full of straw. However tonight she won't settle and is trying to get inside the house! She keeps pecking at the bold doors and flying at the glass, making it really clear she wants to be inside with us. If I can't locate her owners I'd be happy to home her..she is really engaging and people friendly! I never realised chickens were such characters! I'd really appreciate any advice on all aspects,such as food, roots, coops etc...and what I can do to make her comfortable in the short term, I have left my barn door open, and the playhouses, the woodshed and the garden shed, but she won't go into any of them, and keeps trying to be with me....help! ..a chicken novice!
Click to expand...
I wish chickens would adopt me! lol :)

Good luck, she seems to like you!
 
I replied to your other thread also. Could you fashion living quarters for her in a garage or shed? Even a used dog house would be good for her.
 

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