Indoor chicken coop?

[yellowxo]

I was randomly given a baby chick almost 15 weeks ago. I have never had a pet before, and I never thought I would end up keeping it. However, my little roo and I have stuck it out together. We are now the best of friends and I could not imagine my life without him! I love him and I take care of him the best I can and he seems like a very happy rooster. Attached to me as ever, I am starting to consider an indoor chicken coop. I have kept him in my backyard to roam and eat whatever his heart desire but at night I put him back in his cage (which I clean every morning) with fresh food and water. He gets comfortable in there so I know that it is not a problem for him. He is growing by the minute so I was wondering if there is anyway I could have a chicken coop in my basement? The winters are brutal here and I would not feel comfortable leaving him in my garage. (Not to mention the loud crowing will only get louder and I'm afraid my neighbors will get upset). Please let me know any ideas! Thank you

 

[Mallory8502]

Yes, you can build an area for him inside, but you will have to clean it very often to keep things livable for yourself. Chickens actually produce a lot of dust that is not good to be breathing. I would suggest an air purifier in the room, and using something like sand as his litter because it helps dehydrate the poop and keep the smell down.

Maybe you could talk to your neighbors and see if they would be ok with him being outside. A rooster isn't going to be happy stuck in the house all the time. A day that feels cold to you probably doesn't feel cold to him. People in Canada successfully have chickens outside all winter with no added heat- but what keeps them warm is other chickens. Being on his own could be dangerous for him if it's too cold, even if you provide a good outside coop.

Keep in mind that roosters are often super friendly as juveniles, but don't always stay that way.. Im not saying he WILL be mean but be prepared for it.

 

[yellowxo]

Mallory8502-

Thank you for your response! Of course, I want what's best for him and I. I guess I will take the rest of the summer to think about what I'll do. Maybe the coop will go in my garage and my car will stay outside (that's love ). I just don't want to get rid of him...

Thanks again!

 

[thomasboyle]

Can you build him a traditional coop and run? Maybe get him some girlfriends is you have space! Most of us keep chickens in the coop at night, and let the roam the yard in the day.

Generally winter is not an issue for chickens. There are people from Alaska, Canada, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Maine etc on this site, and they all have cold winters. I am in the NW hills of CT, and we get anywhere from 36-70" of snow, and my chickens don't seem to mind as long as they have fresh water, plenty of food and protection from the wind.

 

[yellowxo]

Thomasboyle-

To answer your question, yes I am thinking of building a coop with some help from my boyfriend. Or, I'll just buy one online. Either way, I think I'll keep him somewhere outside as long as my neighbors are okay with it. I'm going to be talking to them before I get the coop and run. However, in the unfortunate circumstance that they do not agree, I am worried about where I could take him. I live in Michigan and I heard most farms only like hens and usually kill off the roosters. I don't know any people around my area that have chickens either. Any ideas?

 

[cehasz]

Ask around. I found an employee at Tractor Supply who will happily take my roosters if I choose not to eat them, generally the Banthams. Your local feed stores will probably be your best bet on that. If not, try to find him a couple hens so he can stay warm and you'll get fresh eggs every day! Chickens are very social animals and do not like to be alone.

 

[yellowxo]

@cehasz thanks! Hopefully will find a few hens and a nice coop for my baby

 

[thomasboyle]

Most people don't like roosters because they have a bad reputation and don't lay eggs! I keep one to protect my flock of 18 hens. I got my first flock from a mail order hatchery. They shipped a dozen day old chicks, and they were 100% right in picking only females. At first I did not have a rooster, and the hens would pick on one another, based on their pecking order. Once I got the rooster, all of the hen pecking stopped. I originally had 2 roosters, brothers, but one flew over the fence to challenge a predator and all I found was a trail of feathers through the underbrush. The remaining roo is now full grown and is getting a little initimidating, challenging me and my wife on a regular basis. My wife uses the electric fence to her advantage, and when he tries to peck her through the fence, he gets zapped and backs off. As long as he does not become too mean, and does his job protecting the girls, he is welcome in my flock.

Check Craigslist for chickens, I know in CT you can get them all year long. Good luck!

 

[yellowxo]

@thomasboyle been on a rampage with the family for 3 days. I am now looking online for farms in Michigan that will take good care of him. I'm so upset.

Thank you for your help though, I really appreciate it.

 

[thomasboyle]

Are you getting rid of him? Did the neighbors make a stink about keeping him?