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Discussion in 'Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance' started by Forest Guardian, Aug 29, 2010.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Aug 29, 2010 #1
    Forest Guardian

    Forest Guardian Hatching

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    Aug 29, 2010
    Hello I thought Id post this thread up before I forget about it(bad memory).

    I recently came upon a 30gallon. Its 3ft long, I think 12-14inches wide and a foot tall or so(Id say 16inches). I heard and read you can keep some birds in glass aquariums. I like quails and chickens. I used to live by a farm when I was a child. I even kept colored chicks(didnt know it was bad back then). They were sold to us. I got a purple one for some reason. I was wondering if I can keep any kind of bird in a terrarium. I asked this at a petstore and a few people said they didnt know(as ussual). So I am seeking more information.
    Also Id like to point out I have bad allergies sometimes. So with the bedding it cant be anything dusty. Iam okay with dirt, care fresh, and processed bark (the one thats in straws.). They sell the bark for reptiles but Iam not talking about the huge chunks. I am talking about the ones that are long and are like straw. I forget the name of it. I think its called cypress mulch. My mom is very skeptical about me keeping birds. But I like them. Even if I cant hold them. Though id love to if I can.

    A note:
    Iam not planning to keep them for breeding purposes or commercial. Just as pets. So if I get eggs Iam most likely going to eat them.

    Anyone could inform me?
    Ps.: I dont plan on keepingmore than two. Also id like to know how much can juveniles cost. I want to know their lifespan and get them at the youngest age that is not a chick. Chicks need extensive care and Iam not ready for that. Id like to know where I can buy them.

    Also is it illegal to keep these in nj? I live in a suburban area but I want to keep them indoors. Will they stink up the place? Make a lot of annoying noises? Especially at 1am or 6am.

    I already keep turtles(given to me) and they have been with me for 5years already. I also keep toads. SO I do have some experience in animals. I also keep a rabbit her names hunny shes 2 years old.

    I just want to get informed.
     
  2. Aug 30, 2010 #2
    Forest Guardian

    Forest Guardian Hatching

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    Aug 29, 2010
    Why does no one reply to this???? Ivedbeen waiting all day???
     
  3. Aug 30, 2010 #3
    eggseroneous

    eggseroneous Songster

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    It would not be a good idea to keep birds in an aquarium. Chickens need 4 square feet of roosting space each bird, plus outside time in a pen with at least 10 square feet of moving-around space. Chickens and all other birds for that matter are VERY dusty (feather dander) and would not be good for someone with allergies. Birds are noisy. And when kept in too small of an area, very stinky. I hatch chicks and raise them indoors and believe me, they outgrow their large rubbermaid totes in a few weeks, dust gets throughout the house and everyone (people) ends up getting stuffy noses and sneezing. They need to be outside as soon as they are big enough.

    Sorry, but it would not be a very humane way to keep chickens or any bird for that matter.

    Lots of folks in suburban communities can have chickens in their yard. You should check to see what your area allows. You may be surprised.
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2010
  4. Aug 30, 2010 #4
    apc

    apc Songster

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    You might try button quail [​IMG]
     
  5. Aug 30, 2010 #5
    brendapa

    brendapa Songster

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    I think the information you read about keeping birds in an aquarium was in reference to brooding them. Right after chicks hatch people use a large cardboard box, rubbermaid tub or a glass aquarium with a light to keep the chicks warm and confined.
    They quickly grow out of this and need to be moved up to larger living space.

    I kept chicks in the dining room for 8 weeks this past spring and used playground sand as bedding. It was much less dusty than wood shavings and easy to clean droppings with a fine metal colinder.
    I've also used peat moss in the house instead of shavings.

    A good alternative for you is to get a few (2-3) bantam hens and keep them in your yard next to the house or garage in a rabbit hutch.
    The hutch, with hardware cloth, will keep them safe and they will go into the enclosed area at night to sleep.
    Bantam hens don't mind confinement and you can let them out to play for an hour or so while you are out with them.
    Or, get them an old playpen, turn it upside down and you have a ready made pen for a few hours a day.
    Silkies do very well lke this, try some!
     
  6. Aug 30, 2010 #6
    Forest Guardian

    Forest Guardian Hatching

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    I just kept reading that you can keep button quails in aquariums because they dont grow too big. I was thinking that there maybe other birds like it?
    Do button quails even do good in aquariums?
     
  7. Aug 30, 2010 #7
    dolly85

    dolly85 Songster

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    I read that button quails can do good in large aquariums or plastic totes. I had some when I was younger and they were soooo much fun!!!! You won't get many eggs from them though, and even if you did they are really too small to eat! They are best kept in trios, two females and one male.
     

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