keeping house chickies: yes or no?

[aart]

I would ask....Why?

Would not want to deal with the smell and cleaning necessary...gag!
I even put chicks outside by 1-2 weeks after hatch.

 

[drumstick diva]

I think my friend Arline, may have been the original house chicken lady. She started with them over 30 years ago. Generally silkies and then a couple seramas. She did quite well with them but the silkie was allowed to run outdoors with the dog (since she didn't fly) and the seramas had to stay inside because they could fly.

They were all hens and around 5 years old when, one got Mareks and died, next day another died, next the last one. I believe the silkie who went outdoors must have brought Mareks in with her.

Arline hasn't gotten any more since. She's in her 80's and has no one that would care for them when she passes. Her elderly dog misses the chickens - she says he keeps looking for them.

Actually she cleaned up messes when they occurred. I have been in her house often , she is somewhat of a hoarder of things but, her house has never smelled (to me). I am very sensitive to icky smells and they make me feel like . But never had that happen at her place. My brother said the same thing.

 

[danceswithronin]

I say no because I don't keep any animals inside that can't be housebroken or use a litterbox unless they are also staying in a cage or tank 24/7, and I wouldn't ever cage a chicken like that except for medical reasons because they're too active. Only animals in my house are the cats and the fish aquariums. Even the dogs only get to come in during inclement weather or cold temperatures, and they stay in the garage.

Every person I have ever known who had animals like this inside the house had a filthy house, so I'm a bit biased against it. I don't even like to keep chicks in the brooder in the garage after 4 weeks just because of the mess and the stink.

That being said, some people are more tolerant of animal messes than I am. But I've just seen too many people ruin their carpets and floors with unhousebroken animals to willingly bring an animal into my house that can't be housebroken, and I'm not changing diapers on anybody.

 

[Chickassan]

It would be up to you in the end. If you enjoy having house chickens then there is your upside.
If they don't like being house chickens there would be your downside.
These two things cover the big stuff.

 

[drumstick diva]

different strokes for different folks - we all get to be different and that's usually a good thing.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Ok, lets face it, Chickens are livestock. The livestock does not live in the house with the humans! Also, livestock are not happy living outside of where their instincts can be manifest. Chickens do not control their "bowels", they love to scratch and peck and mess around looking for worms in the mud and taking dirt baths and all sorts of unhuman like dirty actions! I know some people want to have pet pigs and goats and chickens running inside their homes, but I am not one of them. An occasional visit on a stormy night? Maybe. Also, if you let them in your house they will hang out on your porch on the day that the Pastor is coming for lunch and mess all over your porch! For me (I was raised by farmers and I hear my Dad's voice in what I am typing!!!) it's a no, but, it's your house, your nose, and you can choose to do whatever you like!

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

Depends on how many you are talking. I currently have 12 indoors ranging in age from 2 weeks up to 10 weeks, I am ready to get them outside. I am constantly cleaning to keep smells down and the dust from them can cover everything!!!

 

[Trux]

Ok, lets face it, Chickens are livestock. The livestock does not live in the house with the humans! Also, livestock are not happy living outside of where their instincts can be manifest. Chickens do not control their "bowels", they love to scratch and peck and mess around looking for worms in the mud and taking dirt baths and all sorts of unhuman like dirty actions! I know some people want to have pet pigs and goats and chickens running inside their homes, but I am not one of them. An occasional visit on a stormy night? Maybe. Also, if you let them in your house they will hang out on your porch on the day that the Pastor is coming for lunch and mess all over your porch! For me (I was raised by farmers and I hear my Dad's voice in what I am typing!!!) it's a no, but, it's your house, your nose, and you can choose to do whatever you like!

I have to agree with this post, besides I'm being lazy and I don't want to type anymore

 

[Shadrach]

I plan on making my biddies into part time house birds

This is the important part of your post. How much time is part time.
I have chickens in and out of my house all day but they live (unless they are sitting and hatching in my house nest box) outside, either up a tree, or in a coop.
The downsides are the poop and the noise.
If you were thinking of having them as house pets, I'm against it. if you are thinking of letting them come and go as they please then as long as you're okay with spending the day with a mop and tissue in your hands then ime they are better behaved than dogs, cleaner than cats and you'll get to see behavior that many rarely do.

 

[CatWhisperer]

Different strokes for different folks. You can always move them out if it becomes undesirable to have them in.