Inhouse chicks

[Tonya]

I have 6 1 week olds in the house and 2 frizzle 8 week olds in the house they need more feathers before I let them out my other chicks were out at 6 weeks in the coop its was very warm then so it was ok but i love mine in the house that way i can go check on them every few min and they are good intertainment. I keep mine cleaned out well and dont smell them just the shavings. Of course as they get older it gets smellier (spelling).

 

[silkiechicken]

Smell isn't so bad... (granted, I can no longer smell the mouse urine in the mouse room either since your receptors will stop picking up on it over time) the worst part is the dust. Dust everywhere. But laundry room, and just 4 chicks, shouldn't be too bad. I think most the dust is from the chicks scratching in the shavings.

 

[FrizzlesRule]

I not only raise all chicks I've had over the years inside, but adults are also inside pets. They are bantams and if kept clean they will not smell. I keep their bedding cleaned out everyday as well as the water and feed dishes. I powder them and baby-wipe their feet if they step in something they shouldn't have.

 

[mboreham1]

i have 3 barred rocks in my kitchen, i have used wood pellets as flooring, they are going out this weekend, i havent changed the bedding once, they are in a 2x4 brooder, i cannot smell a thing, i am not dirty, the pellets absorb the odor and give them something to scratch around in

 

[teach1rusl]

With only four, it will be easy to keep their space clean. One huge benefit of raising them in the house the first few weeks is the bonding. If they're right there, you will automatically watch them, talk to them, and handle them, and any household pets will be exposed to them as YOUR property. My five actually only stayed in the house full time until they were about three weeks old, at which time they went into their grown up coop (with a heat lamp of course). I continued bringing them in at night though for another week or two (can't remember now). I have to say, it was nice doing a good clean up of dust after they were out there full time, but I still wouldn't have missed them being inside for the world. Buy a bag of those really cheap, clear paint throws from lowes...spread one out on the floor where you have the brooder set.

 

[underground chickenman]

So far, nobody has addressed the other part of this equation: How long?? Four chickens kept indoors are going to start smelling at some point. I recommend you provide other living quarters--outdoors--by the time they are four weeks.

UGCM

 

[Laurie's Silkies]

I always keep my chicks in the house for a good 2-21/2 weeks. It enables you to monitor them much more efficently and stay on top of pasty butt. You keep their living area clean and smell should not be a problem.

 

[IggiMom]

Right, the issue is not smell, it is dust.

I usually start mine in the house, and then move them somewhere else at about two weeks. Or so.

They create a lot of dust. I wasn't able to move mine outside because of the awful weather for quite a while, and I am still coughing a little.

Four chicks isn't such an issue, either. And anyway, it is fun. You can monitor them better in the house and watch them and enjoy them.

Good luck.

Catherine

 

[jjparke]

gross- no chickens in the house

 

[beckyschicks]

I have had all my chicks in the house and instead of shavings I use those disposable chuxs. I'm in nursing and have the ablitity to get them. They are blue or green plastic backing and diaper like on the other side. I have keep my chicks in the laundry room in a large cracked horse water trough. They didn't smell and there wasn't much dust. In fact they smelled less then the litter box that was in there. I'm pretty picky about how things are in my house and the chicks stayed in here until they were 6 weeks. I also changed the pads 2 times a day. They are kind of like puppy pads but bigger. If your wife doesn't bite after this, suggest the basement. Or even the garage with heat lamps. I think every kid should get the chance to raise a pet and my 7 year old did all the work for hers and she loved it. She even helps clean out the coop and collect eggs. She invested time and money into it and it's important to her. Good luck!