I *know* that in the past I've read success stories of people keeping indoor chickens using diapers. However, I just can't find whatever websites those were again. I've also tried to do some looking up on past threads on here, however everything I hear is either from someone not using chicken diapers or from people who don't do it. I know of at least one person, chickenmom, on youtube, who does it. People have also had stories of an injured chicken that turned into an indoor pet and snuggled.
The reason I'm actually considering this, is because in the winter it's very difficult to take care of the hens and their water is always freezing, multiple times a day, and the door freezes shut. I am awful with the cold, so spending 30+ minutes in the cold each morning is pretty miserable for me. Also, I was thinking of rehoming (aka giving them to someone who will turn them into chicken stew most likely :/ ) most of my hens. Some I've had for four years, and they are named, so it would be hard. But the hardest will be my little black Silkie hen, Pippin. I love this little girl with all my heart. However, in 2016 I'll be headed off to college, so I doubt I will be close enough to stay at home and take care of the ladies. So, I might rehome them all now. But Pippin... I want to hang on to her as long as possible. I've brought her inside before to snuggle, she's like a little cat. I know she'll hit off wonderfully with my one cat, Nataly. Nataly used to be friends with my rat and has always been good around the chickens. Keira, my other cat, will probably distance herself, but she won't hurt Pippin.
During the summer and during good weather, I'll go outside with Pippin to enjoy the weather, but during the cold winter which she usually just stays huddled up in her coop anyway, I'll keep her inside with a diaper. I assume it will need to be changed every couple of hours? Also, I hate having her in the cold, even though her coop is insulated she lost a couple toe nails last winter, I'd feel much better with her being inside a heated environment. Howevever, when I go to college in a couple years, I'll have to rehome her, probably in a home where she will live outside with other chickens
Will there be any disease problems with the cats and the chicken? Chicken and the humans? Will human and cat company be enough, or do chickens really need each other? She seems to distance herself as much as possible from the other chickens, she seems to be a bit of a loner. Although we do have some wonderful cuddling sessions together
Oh, wow, I'm sorry, I talked a lot... I do that... But it'll mean a lot to me if you read or just scan it and give me your opinion on this possible adventure
The reason I'm actually considering this, is because in the winter it's very difficult to take care of the hens and their water is always freezing, multiple times a day, and the door freezes shut. I am awful with the cold, so spending 30+ minutes in the cold each morning is pretty miserable for me. Also, I was thinking of rehoming (aka giving them to someone who will turn them into chicken stew most likely :/ ) most of my hens. Some I've had for four years, and they are named, so it would be hard. But the hardest will be my little black Silkie hen, Pippin. I love this little girl with all my heart. However, in 2016 I'll be headed off to college, so I doubt I will be close enough to stay at home and take care of the ladies. So, I might rehome them all now. But Pippin... I want to hang on to her as long as possible. I've brought her inside before to snuggle, she's like a little cat. I know she'll hit off wonderfully with my one cat, Nataly. Nataly used to be friends with my rat and has always been good around the chickens. Keira, my other cat, will probably distance herself, but she won't hurt Pippin.
During the summer and during good weather, I'll go outside with Pippin to enjoy the weather, but during the cold winter which she usually just stays huddled up in her coop anyway, I'll keep her inside with a diaper. I assume it will need to be changed every couple of hours? Also, I hate having her in the cold, even though her coop is insulated she lost a couple toe nails last winter, I'd feel much better with her being inside a heated environment. Howevever, when I go to college in a couple years, I'll have to rehome her, probably in a home where she will live outside with other chickens
Will there be any disease problems with the cats and the chicken? Chicken and the humans? Will human and cat company be enough, or do chickens really need each other? She seems to distance herself as much as possible from the other chickens, she seems to be a bit of a loner. Although we do have some wonderful cuddling sessions together
Oh, wow, I'm sorry, I talked a lot... I do that... But it'll mean a lot to me if you read or just scan it and give me your opinion on this possible adventure
My mom just sometimes needs to see something will work, she's doesn't want a stinking chicken. Both my sister and I manged to get rats, I doubt house chickens are much worse, I just have to make my mom fall in love, which won't be very hard xD How can you say no to an adorable fuzzy chicken?
