Indoor pet chicken

[PippinTheChicken]

My goodness who stuck all that gum on his poor head!?

Can't tell if you're serious or not... But for the record, that's his big, sqishy squashy walnut comb

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Re: bird "loneliness," our situation is a bit unique. A "wild" rooster wandered into our yard one day, obviously injured, and with a bandage around one leg. We can only guess that his owner -- perhaps a cockfighting breeder -- tossed him into the street when he was injured. We fixed him up at the vet and fenced in the yard, and he's been a wonderful, loyal, and interesting pet. But we have to let him come into the garage every night where he sleeps in a cage we built. We still feel a little nervous about leaving him outside overnight, where he might not be able to defend himself as well as a fully healthy bird.

My question is: He's the only chicken in the yard, but there are always dozens of other types of songbirds, doves, etc., around him who come to visit our water dishes & bird feeders. We'd like to get hiim some hens, but haven't figured out how to handle housing. Would the hens stay in an outside coop we've built, or would we have to repurpose our entire garage to keep them inside overnight? Still thinking about it.

Anyway, after nearly a year, our pampered roo (he'll let us pick him up & put him on our lap) continues to lead a mostly happy, safe life. But I know he'd love to have hens to keep him company. It may be months until we're able to seriously buy some more chickens, but in the interim, does anybody think that having so many other birds around (as well as our presence in the yard for several hours every day) are enough to keep him from being miserable and lonely? He's such a good bird, we'd hate to do that to him. But we didn't decide to own a chicken -- he picked us! -- and we're still trying to learn enough about the hobby to give him a good life.

Any educated opinions?

You can make/buy a coop depending on how many chickens you want. You can get an attached run or just let them "free range" in your yard/garden. Make sure you have feeders, waterers, bedding, etc...
You have to have at least 5 hens to a rooster.

Do you have pics of the little dude?

 

[jsr5]

Can't tell if you're serious or not... But for the record, that's his big, sqishy squashy walnut comb

OOPs forgot you can't see my grin with this dang mask on here is that better

I"ll get a good pic of my Eggsy he has a good un too.

 

[jsr5]

OOPs forgot you can't see my grin with this dang mask on here is that better

I"ll get a good pic of my Eggsy he has a good un too.

Yeah I haven't been in here all that much lately but if you remembered me from a few months ago when I was around more you would know I am quite the jokester. And I love your boys big gooey gumball headgear

FYI eggsy is the handsome feller in my avatar space he looks better n me so I put him up there.

 

[SarahGfa]

In the wild, Jungle Fowl (most heritage breeds descend from this . but not all) generally are in flocks of 3-4 hens plus a roo...year round, from everything I have read.

That means 75% of roosters are by themselves Going their own way. (there is no such things as bachelor flocks in wild jungle fowl). Roosters can be happy by themselves.

 

[bgmathteach]

That means 75% of roosters are by themselves Going their own way. (there is no such things as bachelor flocks in wild jungle fowl). Roosters can be happy by themselves.

Actually, I think that it may mean that 75% are looking for an old guy to take down (and acquire his flock of hens.)

Roosters may be happy by themselves......except for during breeding season...but that is more the urge than the living arrangements. Hmmmm, sounds an awful lot like some humans I know!

 

[SarahGfa]

Actually, I think that it may mean that 75% are looking for an old guy to take down (and acquire his flock of hens.)

Wild jungle fowl don't fight like that, because hens choose the males. In the wild, a single male might find a broody hen that has seperated from the flock, and help her raise chicks. Those chicks will turn into his new flock.

I have a rooster who is by himself. he actually has 6 hens but they are alll broody right now. He never crows or tries to steal hens from the neighbors, he just wanders around my yard hanging out. I think it is relaxing for him to not be henpecked all day

 

[Jajika]

I want to share this important link:
How to Raise an Indoor Pet Chicken

It is possible to keep a chicken indoors as a companion pet. And yes there will be some angry people severely against this, but there are always solutions to the problems:
1) Problem - Dander/dust SOLUTION - Air purifier + vacuuming
2) Problem - Pooping on the floor - SOLUTION - Chicken diapers
3) Problem - Chickens need to walk on natural soil SOLUTION - Take the pet chicken outdoors to the park while wearing a harness

A veterinarian advised me years ago to always think in terms of at least two with any pet. Pet's get lonely just like people. Especially flock animals like chickens. So, without specific knowledge, if you consider what chickens like to do is scratch and dust bath, I'd have two so they have the sense of each other. Another vet said that an only chicken may not east as well without a friend. Just my two cents to consider.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

That means 75% of roosters are by themselves Going their own way. (there is no such things as bachelor flocks in wild jungle fowl). Roosters can be happy by themselves.

I’ve read that jungle fowl cockerels will sometimes form bachelor flocks when they’re driven away by older roosters during the breeding season.

 

[SarahGfa]

I’ve read that jungle fowl cockerels will sometimes form bachelor flocks when they’re driven away by older roosters during the breeding season.

Research study counting flock sizes. Over 80% of "flocks" were single birds. No bachelor flocks.
https://www.tropecol.com/pdf/open/PDF_41_1/kp41102.pdf