Can You Keep a Chicken in an Apartment?
There has been a recent boom in pet chickens, and many people are wondering whether they can keep one at home. Some people are looking for companionship, while others are trying to save money by owning their own birds instead of buying them from the pet store.
Regardless of where you live or what your apartment rules are, you may be able to keep a chicken indoors as long as they have access to the outdoors and you provide them with their own housing. This type of poultry raising is called “house chickens.” But first, it’s important to understand how much time, patience, space and permission it takes to keep a chicken in your apartment.
You must consider your apartment’s climate and how often it rains, snows or hails to determine if it’s a good idea to raise a chicken indoors. You’ll also need to make sure the chickens have plenty of space to roam and get out of the sun or wind, and that they have a warm, comfortable place to sleep.
In addition, you must ensure that the chickens have plenty of access to the outdoors to forage for bugs and worms. You should also give your chickens a dust bath regularly to help them stay clean and kill off any body parasites they might have.
Some of the best chickens to keep in your apartment include Silkies and Sultans, which are easy-going and quiet. These are great breeds for beginners and have a gentle temperament that’s perfect for apartment living, says Sara Ward, founder of Hen Corner.
Before deciding to raise a chicken in your apartment, you should check your state’s laws and the lease agreement you signed with your landlord or property manager. If you violate the rental agreement, you could be evicted.
You’ll also need to decide on the best breed for your family and the lifestyle you want to lead with a chicken. Hens need to be tended to and fed frequently, but they also need their own spaces to socialize with other chickens and spend time alone.
They’re smart animals too, and they can be trained to do certain things with enough time and patience. They also need a coop to be able to shelter in, and some people choose to build their own, but you’ll probably need to purchase one.
If you’re not ready to take on the responsibilities of raising a chicken in your apartment, you might want to look for a friend who is. However, you’ll need to be prepared to make a commitment to this pet for their whole life.
It can be a hard decision, but it’s worth it for the love of your chicken and for the fresh eggs you’ll produce!
There are a lot of people who have successfully raised chickens in their apartments, but you must understand that it takes a lot of work. You’ll need to make sure the chickens have their own coop, plenty of space to run around and scratch, and that they have access to the outdoors for sunlight as much as possible. If you’re unable to keep up with this, you may need to think about getting another animal or moving out of the city for a while.
