Unsecure chicken perches

[LolaCola]

So, I'm about to order my 4 week old chicks and a brooder, I already have housing set up outside from my previous girlies, but what do I keep them indoors? I will be keeping them in the living room, and I have cats, but a secure door, and won't allow them in the living room whilst the chicks are there (unfortunately, lesson learnt the hard way that cats are true killing machines, with the poor hamster

Should I buy a hutch? If so, what sort?

Can't wait 'till they get here! Now, for the names!

[Egluntyne]

They will make an awful lot of mess/dust/dander. It gets everywhere. I wouldn't have them in the living room if I were you. I've used a large indoor rabbit cage before now.

[Tweety]

I agree with Egluntyne - they make a lot of mess, and smell, and I wouldn't have them in the living room either.

 

They also grow very quickly, so bigger is better.

[LolaCola]

Thank you for your advice, but where indoors should you keep them? I don't have a garage. Am thinking of buying a high sided indoor rabbit cadge, but I need to think of something to place on the bottom so there tiny legs don't splay on the plastic.

[Egluntyne]

Have you a porch or conservatory?

 

Re the base, I'd put down some Aubiose bedding or similar.

[Tweety]

I used a J cloth on the base of the brooder, and put Hemcore/Aubiose on top of that.

[Redwing]

J cloths are brilliant (the original textured kind not the very smooth ones) if you layer them then you can whip out the dirty ones easily with minimum disruption

 

Wood pellet cat litter is also very good and heavy so cant be thrown everywhere

 

Aubiose and wood shavings are good too but can get everywhere, I like the plastic cages where only the very top is wire as they keep the bedding (and heat) in best

[LolaCola]

Great idea re j clothes, in expecive too! Yep, that's the type of hutch, with the clear plastic and just wire roof. Might have to put up with the smell and mess in the living room, don't have a consevertry, and the porch is open and I'll fear for there safety with the neighbours many feral cats

[Lewis]

Another vote for an indoor rabbit hutch!

 

I have used a dog crate with an electric hen in the past but maybe a bit open with cats.