Indoor chicken coop

[PaigeAndy'schickens]

They have a cage for when we are not home for long periods or during the night, but the rest of the time I am usually home with them and they get to wander around. They wear little diapers (I call them their pants LOL) and I change them every few hours.

That sounds awesome!!!! I can't imagine cuddling with my chicken watching TV. Sounds amazing!!!

 

[KentuckyRooster]

That sounds awesome!!!! I can't imagine cuddling with my chicken watching TV. Sounds amazing!!!

they hop up on our bed on their own to be with us and they like to be pet, we usually watch Netflix in the evening and they always come round for love and to mooch snacks

 

[PaigeAndy'schickens]

That is awesome!!

they hop up on our bed on their own to be with us and they like to be pet, we usually watch Netflix in the evening and they always come round for love and to mooch snacks

 

[GemmaA]

I live in very cold north Western Ohio. It is actually 6° here right now. So putting her outside by herself was just not an option! With all the positive words of encouragement I am very excited to start this journey of having an indoor chicken coup.

I am also in Ohio! Cannot believe how freakin' cold it is lately. I've been taking warm water out to my girls 3 times a day because my waterers freeze within an hour (and I don't want to run electricity to the coop).

That sounds awesome!!!! I can't imagine cuddling with my chicken watching TV. Sounds amazing!!!

This is how my ex-battery hen became so tame. Her foster mum kept her indoors and snuggled with her while watching TV or reading so now you can scoop her up and she just settles right into your arms/lap.

 

[Ptera]

If you don't mind the stink and mess, and constantly cleaning up after it, great!

Kept birds in the house years ago (finches, parakeet, cockatiels) the dust finally schooled me to what my mother meant by 'dirty birds'.

Cannot imagine the smell of having a full grown chicken poop in my house.Gag.

There are certain species of birds that produce dust to lubricate their feathers (African Grey parrots, cockatiels, pigeons) and some that don't (Green Cheek Conures, finches). Chickens are not feather-dust-producing birds. If you let them dust bathe outside the dust will fall out of them in the house. But if you keep them clean, they're dust-free. It's something else besides their bodies producing that dust (seed dust, bedding dust, etc.) all of which is preventable if you keep clean. Same with the poop. Very minimal smell if you clean properly. You don't know mess until you've owned a parrot!

 

[cavemanrich]

I am also in Ohio! Cannot believe how freakin' cold it is lately. I've been taking warm water out to my girls 3 times a day because my waterers freeze within an hour (and I don't want to run electricity to the coop).

Here is something that most peeps will say makes no logical sense, but I have been practicing it for a long time. I set out water for birds and squirrels in the winter time. (My chickens have heated water containers.)
I always fill with cold tap water. Not sure what the temp is. It stays liquid longer than if I used warm water. Talking from experience. I always thought that it was because it had more gas in it, oxygen, or whatever. Turns out that my theory is one of 4 possible explanations. Here is a link that explains the Mpemba Effect. It is long reading. I'm sure you could find shorter explanations if you search.
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/hot_water.html

 

[Hokum Coco]

I always fill with cold tap water.

"You have your ducks on the right page "Hot water EVERY TIME" will freeze faster than Cold Water. That being said my hens especially all huddle around and enjoy a HOT WATER DRINK first thing in the morning. They can keep the water open even when ice begins to form on the surface for the better part of the day. My pigeons have entirely different drinking styles and are "NOT" as adept

 

[Kerry heatherington]

I am wondering how it all turned out. I had a hen in the house all last winter ue to injuries. She is still about and fine. This year it is a rooster, his toes on one foot froze, I call him stumpy. He started crowing a month ago, has it down pat now.. lol He will be inside all winter. Dogs an cats get along fine with him, he has a corner in the living room, with a wall to keep him in. Most of the time he walks about, and if I ddon't let him get too much water the poops are ok.. lots of cleaning involved, I have cardboard ddown in his area, i change it as it gets yucky.. Very funny when he lays down andleans on the dogs when they are sleeping... He has just started getting "roostery" pecked me a few times. It seems to be their way.. I want at least one rooster about, they are fun..assholes, but fun..

 

[TashaFrancois]

We keep our chicks indoors until they are big enough to survive the pecking order. It is true that sander and dust are an issue. We set up in the basement and put fresh air filters in. It’s more work, but we love them like the babies we never had so it’s worth it to us. You sound like the right kind of people to do something like this.

 

[cavemanrich]

I am wondering how it all turned out. I had a hen in the house all last winter ue to injuries. She is still about and fine. This year it is a rooster, his toes on one foot froze, I call him stumpy. He started crowing a month ago, has it down pat now.. lol He will be inside all winter. Dogs an cats get along fine with him, he has a corner in the living room, with a wall to keep him in. Most of the time he walks about, and if I ddon't let him get too much water the poops are ok.. lots of cleaning involved, I have cardboard ddown in his area, i change it as it gets yucky.. Very funny when he lays down andleans on the dogs when they are sleeping... He has just started getting "roostery" pecked me a few times. It seems to be their way.. I want at least one rooster about, they are fun..assholes, but fun..

Consider chicken diapers, or fashion some yourself. Way less effort to clean up.