Is an indoor coop possible?

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

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I wouldn't keep them in something like that, it's glass on all side. You'd want something that could "breath" and allow the bedding and poop to dry other wise it would get smelly.

No but I do keep snakes and a gecko in something like that XD

 

[BluegrassSeramas]

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lol I wouldnt worry about losing your kids because of some birds in your house...
I know this is not Malaysia, but people there keep them as house pets, and Im sure not all of them are filthy with smelly, dusty, deplorable houses.

Just like any indoor animal, you have to clean up after it. Can a trio of Seramas be any worse than some smelly ferrets, unneutered cats that spray, or those little yappy dogs that always pee on couches? All kinds of people have these animals, and Im thinking the Serama trio is better....

I wouldn't order a pan, I'd go to Lowe's or somewhere and make one out of some kind of sheet metal. You can make it what size you want, with high sides, and dont have to pay shipping for something that big. You could get one of those rabbit hutches with an indoor and outdoor part...fix it up for chickens...
http://casualkeystrokes.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/rabbit_hutch.jpg
http://images.google.com/images?q=r...&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=7&ct=title
And for a trio, you will only need one nest box. Save the extra space for something else.

I know a lot of us have brought chickens in at some point. But not a lot of us live in the city. Nore do we live in a zone that restricts chickens. If you can't do it legaly then dont do it at all.

Im not all about breaking the law, but if you are going to break one....I think you could do worse.
Lots of people live in the city, and lots of people want chickens, get them and disregard the laws. Out of all the Serama breeders I have met, Im the only one with a farm. It is legal in Lexington though to have chickens I think.......Im not sure if you can have roos though..I never asked.
Also I would look into the HOA rules and talk to my neighbors, as I wouldnt want to lose my pets if I was found out. Is it breaking the rules? Yes. Is it that bad of a rule to break? Nope.
Just know that if you get caught, you lose your birds. Maybe pay some fines.... Its something I would look into and see how adamantly they look into it.​

 

[CMV]

I say this as someone who has had chickens in the house at various times over the years- I strongly discourage you from pursuing this course of action. Chickens do not belong in a house. They are not very happy in that environment. It is not healthy for anyone involved, no matter how clean you keep them. I hope you reconsider.

 

[SeramaMama]

Hi Everyone,

Again, I really appreciate all this input, and have truly sobered to the fact that I really can't keep chickens indoors.

I will still look into what the HOA says regarding outdoor coops, although, since they require approval of any outdoor structures (even play structures or sheds), I'm fairly certain they will say no.

Thanks again. If anything changes so that I could keep the chickens outside, I'll let you know!

 

[CMV]

Sorry, back again. I feel kind of strongly about this issue (mostly because each time I bring chickens in the house I swear it will be the last time).
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There is a fundamental difference between keeping parrots, which are tree-dwelling birds, and chickens, which are ground-dwelling birds. Parrots spend long periods of time stationary, and are "mouthy" thus can be kept amused by chewy toys and climbing around on birdy jungle gyms. Chickens, on the other hand, are constantly on the move and their greatest pleasure is to scratch in the dirt. (Give a chicken a mountain and she will turn it into a valley.) Please take that into consideration before you make your decision.

 

[PacsMan]

If you do decided to build inside, I've done the same thing. (inside a detached garage)

Here are detailed plans I've created.

Good luck!

 

[mountaintopchicken]

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Wait - so is the problem with the HOA that they dictate what structures you can put up, or do they have control over what animals you keep as well? If the problem is only with the structure, then could you ask permission to put up a shed or playhouse? Look around the neighborhood to see what structures have been approved, ask permission to put up a lovely shed or playhouse, then divide your approved outdoor structure into lovely little breeding pens for your seramas....

Would that work?

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

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Well you should hun. Right after I had my first daughter, her grandparents attempted to get her taken away from me. Some times I would let one of my japanese bantams come in the house through the front door as he pleased while I left the door open and did things around the house in the summer. They were there once when this happened and used it against me to try to get my daughter taken away from me. Child Services came out to my house and asked me about it. They were very firm with telling me that livestock is not to be kept in the house. If my chicken would have been in the house at the time they came then they would left with my daughter. And there would have been nothing I could of done about it other then go to court to try to get her back.

I asked them why it was a problem for my chicken to come in the house. Cause naturaly as everyone else here thinks - hey its just one chicken whats the big deal, right? Well they so kindly informed me that it was insanitary in their books. Chicken Dander has bacteria in it as it is dead skin cells off the chicken's body and feathers. What do you think touches those skin cells before they are shed? Dirt, poop, and anything else the chicken touches. When this is inhailed a lot it will cause an infection in the lungs which results in Phemonia (sp?) . Also the waste its self from chickens are dangerous as well and can contain parasites. So thats why they didnt find it sanitary to keep chickens in the house.

I don't totaly agree with the decision they made for me to never allow chickens kept in the house. Im just speaking on the behalf of the knowledge I gained from that experiance. I would hate anyone to loose kids from something so small and stupid. I personaly think dogs are nastier then chickens are. And cats with how they jump up on the counters or your lap after pawing in a litterbox. But its not me who makes the rules obviously. I wished someone had told me before I had my scare with child services.

 

[sillybirds]

I don't know if someone has mentioned it yet, but you could get a chicken tractor. That wouldn't be a permanent "structure" so perhaps you wouldn't be violating your HOA. And I don't think having a couple chickens could be considered "chicken production." They'd just be your "pets" of course

.

 

[aaronzclark]

Not to be rude but that is really nasty if you want chickens build a pretty big coop without a run put up insulation and but in a window air unit that way it will be pretty sound proof. But having chickens inside spreads germs bugs all tons of crap