Caring For Chickens In Urban Settings: A Guide

Keeping chickens as pets is becoming more and more popular, with some people even keeping chickens in their apartments. However, there are a few things to consider before bringing a chicken into your home. Firstly, you need to ensure that it is legal to keep chickens in your area and that your landlord permits it. Secondly, chickens require a significant amount of space, with each chicken needing at least 4 to 5 square feet. They also require a lot of socialization, so if you work full-time, you may need to get more than one chicken so they can keep each other company. Additionally, chickens can be messy and dusty, and they will poop everywhere, so be prepared to spend a lot of time cleaning. Despite these challenges, chickens can make wonderful pets and can even provide you with fresh eggs!

Check your lease and local laws to ensure chickens are permitted in your apartment

Keeping chickens as pets in an apartment is a unique experience. However, before you consider bringing chickens into your home, it is crucial to verify that doing so is permitted by your lease agreement and local laws.

Start by carefully reviewing your lease agreement. Typically, lease agreements outline whether pets are allowed and may specify the types or sizes of permitted pets. If your lease agreement does not explicitly prohibit chickens, you may be able to make a case for keeping them as pets. However, if your lease is unclear or ambiguous, it is advisable to contact your landlord or property manager directly to seek clarification and express your intentions.

In addition to lease restrictions, chickens may be considered livestock or farm animals, which are often prohibited in apartment buildings. Therefore, it is important to consult the regulations of the homeowner's association or the relevant entity if your apartment is part of one.

Beyond your lease agreement, you must also ensure that keeping chickens in your apartment complies with local laws and regulations. Contact your local county, township, or city hall to determine the specific legal requirements for your area. Remember to inquire about indoor-specific rules, as keeping chickens outdoors in a backyard may have different regulations than keeping them inside your apartment.

Even if there are no ordinances explicitly prohibiting indoor chickens, you must still adhere to other regulations, such as noise and sanitation standards. In some cases, you may even need to obtain approval from your neighbours. It is worth noting that veterinarians and enthusiasts often believe that keeping chickens indoors in an apartment may not be ideal for the chickens' well-being.

In summary, before bringing chickens into your apartment, it is essential to thoroughly understand and comply with the terms of your lease agreement and local laws. Taking these steps will help ensure that you avoid any potential legal issues, such as eviction or fines, and create a harmonious living environment for yourself, your neighbours, and your feathered friends.

Create a safe, healthy environment for your chicken and your family

Keeping chickens in an apartment requires careful consideration to ensure a safe and healthy environment for both the chicken and your family. Here are some detailed guidelines to achieve this:

Space and Comfort:

Provide ample space for your chicken to move around comfortably. Each chicken needs at least 4 to 5 square feet of space, and more if possible. Ensure your apartment can accommodate multiple chickens comfortably, as they are flock animals and do better with companions. If space is limited, consider building or modifying a coop or using a dog house with a run to provide a dedicated space for your chickens.

Cleanliness and Sanitation:

Maintain a clean and sanitary environment by regularly cleaning up after your chicken. Chicken diapers or leash training can help manage their droppings, especially when they have free range of the house. An old-fashioned manual carpet sweeper can also help pick up debris scattered outside their coop. Additionally, ensure a constant supply of fresh air by placing their housing near a window with a fan, and consider using air purifiers to mitigate dust and odours.

Safety Precautions:

Keep hazardous substances like poisons and cleaning supplies out of reach. Chickens are curious and may peck at indoor plants or furniture, so ensure your apartment is chicken-proofed to prevent ingestion of harmful substances. If you have young children, ensure they do not leave their toys or other small objects within the chicken's reach to avoid accidental ingestion.

Socialization and Stimulation:

Chickens need socialization and stimulation to stay healthy and happy. Spend time with your chicken, offer treats, and provide opportunities for exercise and exploration. If your apartment has limited space, consider creating an engaging environment with perches, toys, or other forms of entertainment to prevent boredom and destructive behaviours.

Legal and Community Considerations:

Before bringing a chicken into your apartment, ensure it is permitted by your landlord, homeowner's association, and local laws. Some leases may forbid birds or livestock, and even if not expressly forbidden, neighbours' approval may be required. Respecting these regulations will help maintain harmony with your neighbours and avoid potential fines or eviction.

Provide enough space, food, and treats

Before getting a chicken, it is important to ensure that you have enough space to accommodate it comfortably. Each chicken will need at least 4 to 5 square feet of space, and more if possible. It is crucial to consider the number of chickens you plan to keep and ensure that your apartment can provide sufficient space for all of them. Remember that chickens are flock animals, so it is advisable to have at least two so they can keep each other company.

Additionally, chickens require free access to a run, coop, and nest box at all times. If you have limited space in your apartment, you may need to be creative in setting up their living area. You can purchase a ready-made coop or modify a dog house to suit their needs. The roost should be placed about 12 to 18 inches above the floor, allowing the chickens to jump onto it safely and comfortably.

Chickens also need space to roam and exercise. If your apartment has a dedicated outdoor space, that would be ideal for them to stretch their wings and explore. Alternatively, you can harness your chicken and take them for walks to ensure they get fresh air and stimulation.

In terms of food, chickens require a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. While their diet primarily consists of chicken feed, they also enjoy treats such as commercially prepared dried mealworms, apples (peeled and cored), alfalfa, and 12-grain bread with cod liver oil. Yogurt, without added sugar, is also a healthy option. It is important to offer treats in moderation and ensure they have access to grit, which helps grind up fibrous material in their crops.

Keeping chickens as pets in an apartment comes with unique challenges, but with proper planning and dedication, it is possible to provide them with a comfortable and healthy life.

Clean up after your chicken or consider diapering

Chickens are messy—they're dirty, smelly, and cause messes. They can eat indoor plants and peck holes in your furniture or floor. They also poop a lot, and they will do it everywhere. Some breeds can even poop up to every 30 minutes.

If you are keeping a chicken in an apartment, you will need to be prepared to clean up after it. One way to manage this is to restrict your chicken to certain rooms, especially those without carpets and indoor plants. You could also try clicker training, treat training, or using chicken diapers, though these methods may not always be effective.

Chicken diapers can be found online, or you could make them out of spare socks. Diapering your chicken will allow it to have free range of your apartment without the mess. However, you will still need to clean up after your chicken to some extent, and an old-fashioned manual carpet sweeper can help to silently pick up debris that chickens scatter outside their coop.

Additionally, you can place the chicken's housing near a window and put a box fan in the window to exhaust the air. A second window across the room or apartment will help to bring in fresh air.

Leash-train your chicken to take it for walks

Leash-training your chicken is a great way to take it for walks and ensure it gets some exercise. It can be a lengthy process, so patience is key. Firstly, you need to purchase a chicken harness, which is similar to a pet harness. It usually has a loop that goes over the chicken's head, with the rest of the harness strapping around its body, under its wings. Make sure the harness is adjustable, lightweight, and made from breathable, flexible material. You should also get a 6-foot leash to attach to the harness. Both the leash and the leash clip should be lightweight so they don't weigh down your chicken.

Before introducing the harness, you can start by putting a chicken saddle (or apron) on your chicken at night before bedtime. Let your chicken wear it for a few days to get used to the feeling of having something on its back and strapped across its front. After this, you can introduce the harness. If your chicken seems bothered by it, let it wear the saddle for a few more days. Once your chicken is walking around comfortably with the harness on, attach the leash and follow it around.

Keep in mind that chickens are prey animals, so wearing something that restricts their movement can make them feel vulnerable. It's important to have a good, trusting relationship with your chicken to make the training easier. Additionally, consider your chicken's personality and breed; calm, friendly, and docile chickens will likely adapt faster to wearing a harness than active, flighty, and independent chickens. Large chicken breeds like Buff Orpingtons or Cochins tend to be more laid-back, while light breeds like Leghorns or Minorcas are more active.

While leash-training a chicken requires time and effort, it can provide numerous benefits. It allows you to take your chicken outdoors for exercise, even in high-predation areas or places where they can't free-range. It keeps them safely by your side while letting them explore. With a leash, you can take your chicken on obstacle courses, short hikes, or even rides in a bicycle basket. So, if you're up for the challenge, go ahead and give it a try!

Frequently asked questions