people with house chickens

[EileenC]

My little bantan poops mostly at night, then I hold the blanket over the trash and get it out. Otherwise my dogs  keep on HIGH alert for the poop!/img/smilies/sickbyc.gif

] so glad my dog doesn't doesn't do that. She much prefers kitty candy.

 

[Sylvester017]

did you make the diapers for the chickens or did you buy them. How do you get themy on the chickens? I have one that runs around and poops all the time.

There are several websites that sell chicken diapers, people here on BYC that sell them, or like me i made them myself following chickenmom's diaper pattern on youtube. Youtube also has videos showing people putting diapers on their chickens.

The first diaper I made was for my Silkie 5 yrs ago because we had to keep her in quarantine before putting her outdoors with the rest of the flock. It was a challenge the first time we tried to put a diaper on her -- she has 5 busy toes on each foot to bicycle in the air and push the diaper away. It took two of us -- one to hold her while the second person struggled keeping the diaper on her long enough to fasten it before she pushed it away with her bicycling feet! If the diaper got soaked we had to go through the process again with a second clean diaper. Eventually she didn't struggle so much as she got used to it and I was able to eventually get the diaper on by myself. We had to wash and blowdry her tush between diaper changes but during the night we didn't keep a diaper on because she wasn't walking around the house in the dark.

Chickens will walk backwards or fall over wearing the diaper at first. DH would hold the shoulder straps of the diaper and for about 30 seconds he'd gently pull the chicken forward by the shoulder straps to walk until she got the idea that she could totally have mobility while walking with a diaper on. I never used velcro fasteners on the diapers I made because the fluffy or downy feathers would get caught and pull out from the velcro so I used one giant safety pin to adjust and hold the shoulder straps together.

To each his own - everyone has a different diaper pattern or different method of how they use their diapers. My Silkie layed an egg and the diaper was dragging on the floor behind her and it wasn't bothering her in the least! The larger or fluffier the chicken breed, the harder it is to get a diaper on them. Bantams are easier to diaper than large or heavy fowl.

 

[Wasquechicks]

I have an 11 week old EE that has an injured leg. She's on pain meds and antibiotics for the next week, so I set her up in a dog crate inside. This is a chicken who has never been inside and has never had much interaction with people. I was amazed, within 1 hour of being indoors, she was following me around the house. She spent the evening on my lap, with the cat, watching tv. I think I have a house chicken.

 

[Calichicken2015]

I have an 11 week old EE that has an injured leg. She's on pain meds and antibiotics for the next week, so I set her up in a dog crate inside. This is a chicken who has never been inside and has never had much interaction with people. I was amazed, within 1 hour of being indoors, she was following me around the house. She spent the evening on my lap, with the cat, watching tv. I think I have a house chicken.

Awww...Yes they do get attached to yo very quickly

And I LOVE the birdie snuggles and laptime! Hope your girl heals quickly! And don't be surprised if she wants to stay and indoor girl...you just may not want to let her go..LOL!

 

[Calichicken2015]

Well, Sadly we lost our indoor girl and the only hen we have at this time

Unfortunately she passed on Tuesday night..she had a case of ascites that she just could not overcome. We took her to the vet twice this month to be drained...but the second time her health took a turn for the worst

Our vet did everything she could to help Peep...tube fed her to try and get nutrition and some meds, but she was just too weak. It was truly her time to leave us. I am thankful that she did not suffer...slept most of the time and let us hold and comfort her. I was fortunate to have the ability to be home with her throughout this 4 day ordeal and care for her until the end! And now she is free of all illness!

I joined BYC when I hatched her in my classroom...almost 4 years ago because she stole my heart and I just couldn't let her go! She became our house chicken...and she gave us 4 years of love, laughter and joy! She is the first hen I ever kept and so this site was a great resource for information on raising hens. as well as helping in times of distress!!!

Having Peep opened our hearts to chickens FOREVER!!!! Rest in peace sweet girl! We truly miss you!!!






Rest in Peace my Sweet Peep! We miss you!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1150332/heartbroken-lost-my-girl#

 

[Aziara]

Aww, that so sad about Peep.

I've got two silkie chicks that I think are going to be house chickens. They're just so cute and tiny.

I may have missed this, as I didn't read through all the pages of this thread, but how often would you bathe a house chicken to keep dander to a minimum? I know you aren't supposed to bathe them too often or it will strip the skin oils. What if they were bathed in conditioner only?
I guess what I'm asking is how often can a chicken be bathed without excessively stripping their skin oils away. Would once a month be ok?

 

[napoliana]

Aww, that so sad about Peep.

I've got two silkie chicks that I think are going to be house chickens. They're just so cute and tiny.

I may have missed this, as I didn't read through all the pages of this thread, but how often would you bathe a house chicken to keep dander to a minimum? I know you aren't supposed to bathe them too often or it will strip the skin oils. What if they were bathed in conditioner only?
I guess what I'm asking is how often can a chicken be bathed without excessively stripping their skin oils away. Would once a month be ok?

 

[napoliana]

Poor Peeps!! That's so sad. My HCH (house chicken hen) is a huge part of our lives and I'm always thinking how we would miss her if she ever had to go. She talks to us when we get up and runs in the kitchen to see what I'm cooking.. she's hilarious.

 

[Calichicken2015]

Aww, that so sad about Peep.

I've got two silkie chicks that I think are going to be house chickens. They're just so cute and tiny.

I may have missed this, as I didn't read through all the pages of this thread, but how often would you bathe a house chicken to keep dander to a minimum? I know you aren't supposed to bathe them too often or it will strip the skin oils. What if they were bathed in conditioner only?
I guess what I'm asking is how often can a chicken be bathed without excessively stripping their skin oils away. Would once a month be ok?

Poor Peeps!! That's so sad. My HCH (house chicken hen) is a huge part of our lives and I'm always thinking how we would miss her if she ever had to go. She talks to us when we get up and runs in the kitchen to see what I'm cooking.. she's hilarious.

Thank you both so much! We REALLY miss her a lot! Our Peep would also go running into the kitchen anytime we were in there trying to mooch a treat or two! We would open up the fridge and she would be standing right there looking in like she was picking her next snack! She gave us years of smiles and laughter with all her chicken antics!

We had Peep as a house chicken for almost 4 years and we did not bath her routinely. The only time I gave her a bath is if for some reason her butt feathers got messy or because she had feathered feet...they got muddy when she went outside to play. She got outside each day to dust bathe and forge for bugs ect. Chickens naturally keep themselves clean. I didn't use soap unless it was absolutely necessary and then just a drop of baby shampoo. hopefully others on here will have some input as well...the thread has been a little quiet lately but LOTS of great house chicken people here!!!

 

[napoliana]

How did you have her set up in your home. We have a chicken coop then plastic on the
Floor to protect the carpet. We put bedding over that. We have a little fence around the area so she can get out of the roost. Take her dust bath .. She has diapers when she wants to get out of her area (aka our dinner room)I think she's happy but I know she would love to go out side.