Indoor chicken coop

[Rooster666]

Any suggestions on a medium to large bird I could keep in there ? Besides a macaw? A macaw would chew through the wood and those birds cost more than $1000.

I prefer something larger than a parakeet or conure.

 

[squadleader]

It would be cruel to keep a chicken in such a small enclosure, they need more room, which most people supplement with an outdoor run, and even better free ranging.

I applaud you for acknowledging this fact yourself, with your own solution, the chicken diaper, which will turn your house into their run.

I'm glad you realize 8 square feet is only the bare minimum for a sleeping coop for two birds, but in addition, they also require a run, if you want to treat them with more respect than a factory farm, which I sense you do.

I don't think chickens are suitable for indoor habitation, but you're going to extraordinary means to achieve your goal, which may not be in the best interests of the birds themselves.

However, unsuitable it maybe for a large bird like a chicken, the beautiful cage you've built, would be a great habitat for smaller birds, a job well done!

We all have to deal with the reality of our particular circumstances, in this case the size of your cage, and the fact they can't be outside.

I should have asked, can they be outside? Do you have a yard?

If not, you have a choice with your cage, a very poor chicken habitat, or a knock your socks off terrific habitat for smaller birds.

You seem determined to have larger birds though, any chance you have a friend, or friend of a friend, who has a yard you could use for an outside coop, maybe in exchange for some eggs?

Heck, I even give my neighbor a dozen eggs every couple of weeks, so she won't resent my little flock wandering into her yard occasionally.

Life is choices. It's hard, but things always work out better when we try to consider the other guy too, who's going to be impacted by our choices, even if the other guy is just a chicken!

Good luck!

 

[room onthebroom]

That is a really beautiful cage & I applaud your enormous talent. That being said, I think it wouldn't be fair to put a chicken in that. Its too narrow & chickens need space & the proper substrate to spread their wings, scratch, dust bathe, sun bathe, etc...

Maybe quail?

 

[WVduckchick]

Doves?

 

[perchie.girl]

Any suggestions on a medium to large bird I could keep in there ? Besides a macaw? A macaw would chew through the wood and those birds cost more than $1000.

I prefer something larger than a parakeet or conure.

Probably should have built the cage after deciding on what birds to put in it. Hook bills as large as a Macaw or even smaller not only chew wood they also chew wire.... some are strong enough to snap wire too. But most of all they chew off the galvanizing and you are in danger of having poisoning from Galvanized wire.

Consider wingspan and the amount of moving around your bird will do.... I suspect that cage would be perfect for Finches and Diamond Doves. Even white doves might do well in such a cage.

I had a lovely pair of Canaries in my big aviary once... Oh my goodness beautiful and his song was awesome. They are about twice the size of Finches.

Unfortunately chickens have more than just housing needs. They scratch for tidbits throwing dirt and grass several feet behind them. So its not just dander that is a concern. They need to dust bathe.... and they fly pretty well for their wieght. Like pheasants they go straight up and can fly a few feet upon being startled....

Good luck finding what you want... But my vote is Canary.

deb

 

[room onthebroom]

Finches are cool & they would be awesome there!