indoor pet rooster problem

[Nnyuu]

hi, I have 2 rescued chickens at home and since i live in an apartment and here streets are flooded with dogs am unable to take them out so am raising them indoor and I got recently covid and for a while am staying alone had to keep them in brooder(cardboard boxes) till I got cured now since they stayed together and got bored or something they cant stand each other one is bigger and if I pet them they go crazy on each other and they poop alot its harder for me to clean had to keep the tied up so its easily manageable I have provided them access to my room and balcony so they can roam around I feel there can be better solution with poop management and there brooder situation and I cant afford for diapers daily for them, am hoping any other alternative solution would be helpful about there fighting and poop management.


I got great help last time here regarding there health and it worked like charm I have included the grown up pic of pooper which you can see in my profile now fully grown to really lovely rooster thanks for your time.

I know these are very much loved pets for you, but you might consider finding them a new forever home. Keeping a house rooster isn't impossible, but every person I know who has done it still makes sure they get outside time. That sounds like something you can't do for them where you are. As much as it might upset you, it is not in their best interests to deny them something they need. I also have not seen people keep more than a single chicken as a house pet. I'm not sure you will be able to avoid the fighting between them and it sounds like you are having difficulty caring for them.

I understand wanting to keep them, but I think given your current circumstances, the most loving and humane thing you can do for them is find them a new home where their needs will be met.

 

[nuthatched]

Um, I don't think that is always true.

Some people keep bachelor flocks (just roosters, no hens), and they say the roosters fight less when there are no hens to fight over.

So I do not think the lack of hens is the problem.

All chickens, of any gender, will do a bit of "fighting" as they settle the pecking order and maintain it. Some roosters, and even some hens, will just keep picking at each other, and the only peaceful solution is to keep them apart (maybe in separate cages, so they can see & interact but not hurt each other). Some others will get along just fine. And some will sort-of get along when conditions are just right but have troubles at other times (that may be the case here).

Yes, I know Bachelor flocks can be very successful....when they're outside, not in an apartment with no access to even dirt. OP hasn't said how bad the fights are, if it's normal pecking order stuff, that's one thing but if it's all out fight, it could get bloody.
I don't think the solution to this issue is keeping them in cages but there's always exceptions.

 

[NatJ]

Yes, I know Bachelor flocks can be very successful....when they're outside, not in an apartment with no access to even dirt. OP hasn't said how bad the fights are, if it's normal pecking order stuff, that's one thing but if it's all out fight, it could get bloody.
I don't think the solution to this issue is keeping them in cages but there's always exceptions.

I just don't know. You're right, we do not not know how bad the fights are.

But I'm not convinced that "outside" will solve much. Plenty of people have outdoor chicken coops, and even runs, that are smaller than some apartments.

When I said "cage" I was being sloppy-- I really meant any enclosure, not a specific style or size. Some "cages" can be quite large-- in this case, if could even be one rooster in a room and the other in the next room, with a screen door between so they can interact without injury. Or one indoors while the other is on the balcony.

I think having happy, healthy chickens inside can be done, but I do not know how to tell if it will work for THIS person and THESE chickens.

 

[Dinoroar]

Sorry you were sick and that it made it hard to keep up with your boys. I think sometimes two roosters will settle back into not fighting. It depends on the Roos.
I agree some kind of reusable diaper option could help, or putting something down in the areas where the mess gets most concentrated.

 

[33ChickenLovers]

but anyone i give they will kill it for the meat they are like pets for me

I understand, you need to find someone who has some hens that actually needs a rooster, not someone that’s has some already and will just butcher any extra ones.

 

[33ChickenLovers]

hi, I have 2 rescued chickens at home and since i live in an apartment and here streets are flooded with dogs am unable to take them out so am raising them indoor and I got recently covid and for a while am staying alone had to keep them in brooder(cardboard boxes) till I got cured now since they stayed together and got bored or something they cant stand each other one is bigger and if I pet them they go crazy on each other and they poop alot its harder for me to clean had to keep the tied up so its easily manageable I have provided them access to my room and balcony so they can roam around I feel there can be better solution with poop management and there brooder situation and I cant afford for diapers daily for them, am hoping any other alternative solution would be helpful about there fighting and poop management.


I got great help last time here regarding there health and it worked like charm I have included the grown up pic of pooper which you can see in my profile now fully grown to really lovely rooster thanks for your time.

I think it’s best to keep one roo. There’s no point in haven’t a chicken as an indoor pet especially in an apartment, since chickens poop a lot. Also how did you manage to keep roosters instead of hens, like roosters crow really early in the morning. And they aren’t even aloud in some local areas never mind a small apartment.
But I think if you *really* like them as a pet, maybe try keeping only one?
Also just a *dumb* idea, have you thought of buying a coop that can fit on your balcony where they can sleep/chill when you go out instead of cardboard boxes?
Anyway I know how you feel about giving them away, I felt that when I had to give my two Muscovy drakes.
Anyway good luck! Xx

 

[DobieLover]

I think it’s best to keep one roo. There’s no point in haven’t a chicken as an indoor pet especially in an apartment, since chickens poop a lot. Also how did you manage to keep roosters instead of hens, like roosters crow really early in the morning. And they aren’t even aloud in some local areas never mind a small apartment.
But I think if you *really* like them as a pet, maybe try keeping only one?
Also just a *dumb* idea, have you thought of buying a coop that can fit on your balcony where they can sleep/chill when you go out instead of cardboard boxes?
Anyway I know how you feel about giving them away, I felt that when I had to give my two Muscovy drakes.
Anyway good luck! Xx

What do you think the other residents of the apartment building might think of a rooster crowing in the apartment or on the balcony?
The OP got these two birds as dyed chicks.
Regardless of all the humans that will complain about a chicken living in an apartment, and the OPs desire to keep them, it is NOT FAIR to the birds. They don't belong living tethered in a room inside an apartment. If these birds are truly loved, the OP will find a proper home for them where they will be happy and live out normal fulfilling lives. That is never going to happen inside an apartment.
Also, the OP has tethered them not only because of the fighting but because of them pooping all over the apartment. What a miserable existence for all involved.
I wonder what the apartment owner is going to think of that when he/she sees the apartment.
Failure to find these boys a proper new home may very well also end in an eviction. And soon. Something tells me that cockerels/roosters are not permitted per the terms of the lease.

 

[Aapomp831]

“Indoor pet rooster” - there is 100% of your problem.

 

[33ChickenLovers]

What do you think the other residents of the apartment building might think of a rooster crowing in the apartment or on the balcony?
The OP got these two birds as dyed chicks.
Regardless of all the humans that will complain about a chicken living in an apartment, and the OPs desire to keep them, it is NOT FAIR to the birds. They don't belong living tethered in a room inside an apartment. If these birds are truly loved, the OP will find a proper home for them where they will be happy and live out normal fulfilling lives. That is never going to happen inside an apartment.
Also, the OP has tethered them not only because of the fighting but because of them pooping all over the apartment. What a miserable existence for all involved.
I wonder what the apartment owner is going to think of that when he/she sees the apartment.
Failure to find these boys a proper new home may very well also end in an eviction. And soon. Something tells me that cockerels/roosters are not permitted per the terms of the lease.

Yeah, they crow a lot. That’s why I mentioned how are they even allowed in a apartment never mind local areas. But maybe they haven’t started crowing yet.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

hi, I have 2 rescued chickens at home and since i live in an apartment and here streets are flooded with dogs am unable to take them out so am raising them indoor and I got recently covid and for a while am staying alone had to keep them in brooder(cardboard boxes) till I got cured now since they stayed together and got bored or something they cant stand each other one is bigger and if I pet them they go crazy on each other and they poop alot its harder for me to clean had to keep the tied up so its easily manageable I have provided them access to my room and balcony so they can roam around I feel there can be better solution with poop management and there brooder situation and I cant afford for diapers daily for them, am hoping any other alternative solution would be helpful about there fighting and poop management.


I got great help last time here regarding there health and it worked like charm I have included the grown up pic of pooper which you can see in my profile now fully grown to really lovely rooster thanks for your time.

There are reusable diapers designed for chickens you could try. You would probably have to order them online.

I agree with some of the other posters that two roosters can get along without hens. Though it can be more difficult with only two in a limited space.

I also agree that you should provide them with supervised time outside. Grass and dirt are very important for chickens and are also great enrichment for them.