Indoor chickens

[Peep Nerd]

Do any of you keep any indoor chickens? I just ordered a diaper and plan to bring one of my girls in to help cut down on the cricket population that moves in every fall. My question is... What do you do at night? I read that you should clean the diaper out as soon as it gets dirty. Do you keep it on at night? Or...? I'm lost here. Lol

 

[csaylorchickens]

I don't think I'd keep the chicken in doors but that's just me. I honk after they lay for the morning you can put the diaper on and let them roam for a bit but then out they go! They poop every 5 min I swear! That bag will fill fast

 

[csaylorchickens]

I think

 

[drumstick diva]

I think your questions can best be answered at "people with house chickens." The house chicken (and sometimes ducks) movement is growing by leaps and bounds. Some people aren't allowed to have chickens, so they have some as "house pets." My friend has had house chickens (various breeds) over the past 25 years. Currently she has 2 silkies and 2 seramas. The bantam breeds seem to tolerate confinement much better than full sized chickens.

Oh my friend does NOT diaper them - too time consuming. She wipes up as soon as she sees a mess. And NO, her house doesn't have any bad odor.

 

[Peep Nerd]

Found the thread. Thank you!

 

[jj11]

Yes it is absolutely possible to keep an indoor chicken, taking care of the indoor chicken is exactly as much work as keeping a small dog. I found a slightly crippled day old baby in a park and he has been with us ever since. When he was little he lived in a box in the bathroom (warmest place in the house), in order help his confidence during his teen weeks he got the run of our spare half bath. It was a messy time but is typically important to any bird's socialization period, it was rough but we survived it. Once he was confident enough we kennel trained him, so he has his own kennel in the spare bedroom where we keep our lovebirds. We have insulated his sleep space so it is virtually sound proof. We have also always kept stuffed animals with him, they are his "hens" he doesn't mind swapping "hens" when they get dirty. I read an article about how to be the lead rooster and that was really helpful with dominance issues and crowing. Its kind of like Dog Whisperer type training but with a chicken. He is extremely clean and will let us know if he needs his paper changed but otherwise we change it about 5 times a day he can go in and out of his kennel but usually prefers to rest in it. He sleeps in his kennel and sleeps in until 8 or 9 daily, I can go in there at night without any vocalization issues. The only time typically he will vocalize is if there is a perceived threat (smoke coming in, strange smell, strange sound, etc), if one of the other birds needs something, if he wants his paper changed or he hears my car pulling into the driveway. He was been also trained to go out with us in a carrier and absolutely loves it! All rules with birds apply to him, i.e. you have to vacuum, his paper must be changed, you can't cook food in the same room, no air freshener, or chemical fumes, you have to be careful not to use any light sources with teflon, and he as to have his water/food changed daily at least. He requires a lot of attention like a dog, he is a room and they will test you and the proper response is to cuddle and peck (i.e. with your hand or give kisses) believe it or not it works every time.

I haven't noticed any issues with dander but I vacuum daily anyway. He will not poop outside of his kennel and lets us know if he needs to go back to poop. The house has to be baby proof, which wasn't a big deal he has rooms he is allowed in and rooms he isn't. He is no more messy or smelly than our cat. Occasionally he needs a bath and hops right in the sink, I think he likes it. He has been the most wonderful addition to our house! With that said, he isn't alone ever, i.e. he lives in a room with other birds whom he wishes he could eat but thinks he is in charge of? Roo logic! Also he doesn't live with any other chickens and hasn't since birth, i.e. he doesn't know he is a chicken and he is imprinted on us. I'm also pretty sure like a guard dog he would not hesitate to attack an intruder. He is a happy boy and we feel really blessed to have him he is so much fun!

 

[bantamfreak]

Personally, I do not think chickens should be kept indoors full time. What I do is keep my chickens outdoor during the day, but every other night, I keep them indoors. Also, I love to cuddle my silkie rooster and will bring him in when watching the news every morning. I raised him from when he was a pellet, and got him from the humane society. He's so sweet and loves to be held! Overall, keeping chickens outdoors is the best thing to do. If you have a disabled chicken with only one leg or something, than yes, keeping it indoors is the best thing! If you have a perfectly decent chicken, Id say keep it outdoors with the occasional carry inside. #crazychickenlady