Nappies For My Seramas.... Advice Please?

[SulkyBantam]

So, BackYardChickeners, I need suggestions for my dilemma!

I own 2 Serama hens.
They usually sleep in an enclosure in my bedroom at night, then go out into a little covered run in the day.
They do socialise with other chickens, but the roos are semi-bantam so I don't want anyone to get hurt.
I'm hoping to get them their own roo next year.

Anyway, now its cold and dark most of the day.
I can put them out sometimes, but my littlest hen got minor frostbite one evening so I'm wary now
(she's 100% recovered, in case you were worried).

So, they are going to be spending at least 80% of the winter inside the house.
Their enclosure is nice, with straw bedding, always fresh water and food of course, veggie piñatas, several perches set at different heights, and a dust tray.
BUT they want more space!

I can't enlarge their enclosure.
BUT I could get some nappies and let them walk all around the house!
I do let them out and they love it, but just can't be cleaning up after them all day.

What do YOU think?

PS If you like you can have pics of my babies!

 

[SulkyBantam]

Look, I'm new, but I'd still like replies!

 

[Aapomp831]

I’d let them out - frostbite is not lethal (I mean as long as it’s not out of control). Just make sure you have proper ventilation in the coop to prevent future cases. But chickens are barnyard animals and belong outside even in the winter and with the list of terrible chicken health problems frostbite isn’t really one of them (again, I’m talking minor frostbite).

 

[Aapomp831]

.... also, there shouldn’t be water in the coop itself, just in the run. They don’t need water overnight, and a bowl of water can act as a humidifier, adding more moisture to the air to settle on your chickens combs.

 

[aart]

Look, I'm new, but I'd still like replies!

Patience Grasshopper.

 

[aart]

So, they are going to be spending at least 80% of the winter inside the house.
Their enclosure is nice, with straw bedding, always fresh water and food of course, veggie piñatas, several perches set at different heights, and a dust tray.
BUT they want more space!

How big is their enclosure, in cm by cm?

How often would they be roaming the house?
Do you live alone or how does the rest of your household feel about chickens in the house?

 

[Sally PB]

Will they be supervised when they are out in the house? I've never had house chickens, but I'd be a little nervous about all the stuff they could get into. I know what mischief a puppy can get into in short order. Can you make a "safe chicken room" for them?

 

[SulkyBantam]

Their enclosure is about a square metre.

They would roam for a few hours but when I was there to watch.

I can't take away the water but it's nowhere near where they sleep.

Thank you all!

PS @aart why am I 'Grasshopper'?!

 

[Chookchicken]

I think nappies for chickens is dangerous, chickens poo is full of disease its stopping it from falling out and keeping it next to the whole it came out of, that might cause problems (or at least I imagine it would).

 

[SulkyBantam]

I think nappies for chickens is dangerous, chickens poo is full of disease its stopping it from falling out and keeping it next to the whole it came out of, that might cause problems (or at least I imagine it would).

That's not a view I'd heard before!
While I don't want to be overly cautious and thus rob my chickens of heir freedom, I'd be interested to hear other people who think nappies hinder their health.
Interesting thought.