Indoor Pet Chickens

[Stacykins]

I am wondering, how many people here keep an indoor chicken as a pet? I've heard of people doing this, just not here on the BYC. The idea is intriguing, especially since chicken sized diapers are available to take care of the poo problem. Do you keep the chicken inside most of the time or just for visits? I really am curious!

 

[chickendude]

I never bring them in the house. The only time was when they are in the brooder. The poo problem is not the only problem. Chickens give off a lot of dander causing respiratory problems along with a dusty house. So chickens in the house is an absolute no no in my home.

 

[magoochie]

I dont think the smell would be very pleasant. Or the mess. Even if you did use diapers. I can handle chicks in the house for a few weeks, but in my opinion, they should be outside animals.

Maybe let them come in once in a while, but not a full time house pet.

 

[Judy]

There are a bunch of people on here who do this (not me, no thanks.) I imagine one will come along.

 

[tinychicky]

i have a house chicken

tiny (the hen in my avatar) is my favorite, but she is partially lame and blind in one eye, so i decided to keep her inside. she couldn't fly to the roost and was having trouble getting enough to eat. most of the younger hens picked on her, so she hid behind my rooster raven most of the time. she's been living inside for about six months now and is doing a whole lot better. she can't have the run of the house, but she has a large rabbit cage and i let her out whenever i'm there to lay down towels (i can't put a chicken diaper on her, since it's already hard for her to walk). she also comes with me every evening when i go out to close up the chickens so she can see her friends. the next time she goes broody, we're going to let her hatch some chicks, so maybe she won't be so lonely!

oh and she lives in my bedroom...yes i said in my bedroom. maybe i'm crazy, but

 

[axion_lotus]

I would keep one or two "house chickens" but...

...I am allergic to birds.

Which sucks, because I love birds! Especially chickens.

The only reason I can keep my parakeet in the house is because he produces very little dander and he's in a very open area in the house, and there is sufficient air flow.

So, my chickens had to stay outside, in a fenced-in run, which is where I spent most of my time with them. I can't stay in the chicken house for more than twenty minutes without my eyes getting puffy and not being able to breathe.

My point is, If you want to keep your chickens in the house, more power to ya, at least you can actually do it, without risk of an allergic reaction.

 

[bluere11e]

I have extreme allergies. I start all my peeps in the house. By the time they are a bout 2 weeks old, I can't breathe and dust is everywhere. So, Out to the Ted's shed they go for another 3 weeks.. Then out to the chicken tractor to finish.. I wish I could keep them in the house, but they are too darn dusty

 

[chickenaddictntn]

I like my chickens outside or in the freezer where God intended them to be

 

[chicksnhorses]

My first set of chicks I kept in the house in a brooder for 4 weeks. That was all I could stand it! The dust those little ones make is unbelievable! How it coats absolutely everything is beyond me.

With my second set, I set up my brooder in the garage. MUCH BETTER!

Though I will say, I did have a pullet who at nine weeks came down with what I believe was Marek's (even though she was vaccinated) and until I made the decision to euthanize her, I kept her in my mud room! She ended up being in there like 5 days. She was too cute. She would try so hard to "come running" when she saw me. Her poor little legs, though, they just stopped working!

Anyway, I digress, I agree, chickens should be allowed to live outside and be a chicken.

 

[Pinky]

I wouldn't mind having a chicken in the house if they were not so messy.