Can you 'potty' train a chicken!?

[Stanley]

As the title says really!

After our beloved Bronwyn was seriously ill last week and had to spend 3 days at the vets she is now home, and doing well, but she is now a house chicken for the rest of her days, when it is warmer she will go outside during the day with everyone else but still sleep inside at night, but for now shes inside all the time as its still only been 2c during the day

so yeah, is it possible!?

 

[chickadoodle]

I hope your success carries on. From my experience, my chickens poo everywhere, indiscriminately! As do my ducks!!!

 

[Stanley]

yes!! shes actually a lot cleaner than some of the others and its not really making any mess, but if she could do it one place that would be amazing! :lol:

 

[tygrysek75]

Well if i may sugest http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=chicken+nappy&hl=en&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=lMQaUYWnIMGm0QXD04HABw&ved=0CC0QsAQ&biw=1440&bih=817#imgrc=6W7OjQv4wh_vBM%3A%3BvmnDkFRHHFo05M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fresources1.news.com.au%252Fimages%252F2010%252F08%252F27%252F1225911%252F048341-chicken-nappy.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.news.com.au%252Fnational-old%252Fchicken-nappies-a-coup-for-seamstress%252Fstory-e6frfkvr-1225911147663%3B650%3B366 and she will poo in one place

 

[Icemaiden]

Bahh. My post just disappeared :evil:

I was going to suggest a nappy too. Rehomers of poorly ex-batts seem to use them to good effect.
On the other hand, if you can potty train Bronwyn to use a litter try, PLEASE tell us how... 05

 

[chrismahon]

I have been told it is impossible to train a chicken to poo in one place Stanley so have never tried. They seem to just poo by reflex so couldn't hold it back to get to the litter tray anyway. Chicken nappies are used in American where pet chickens are more common than they are here. Our pet cock Bottom poos where he needs to and we clean it up -easy with tiled floors or lino. The only practical way to contain the mess is to contain the chicken.

 

[Stanley]

oh wow! i never thought of the nappy! they actually look quite 'nice' :shock:
I made her a 'coat' as i do want her to go out for a bit, and not get cold, but i could make a matching nappy :lol:

yeah, ive noticed that too! if im in the room i can tell when shes about to, and like you, just clean it up as and when!

The 'dog cage' she is in now, can actually fit me in it, twice, and its tall enough to be two levels without compromising on head room, its only for night time and when we go out, but i think it could make a nice little space of her own with lots to do, so im quite excited!
once ive had a good think about what i can do with it, i may make a thread

Thank you everyone for the suggestions, and if i can litter train a chicken, you will be the first to know!

 

[tygrysek75]

You may enjoy this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lnWb54wTvA and this http://www.ehow.com/how_5675781_potty-train-chicken.html

 

[valeriebutterley]

I don't know if you can train a chicken not to poo indoors, but they can certainly choose not to.
My granddaughter's first LC Pekin Sorbet was a shining example of this. She never pooed when being handled or when she was indoors, putting up with Lucy's ministrations to her, which were many and often - she was the hen that officially joined the Brownies, complete with hen saddle type uniform on the grand night.
My other granddaughter's hen, a Bluebell also caught the habit, she went along on the night just to keep a wary eye on proceedings.
It seemed people, handling, and cuddles and even bathing were OK, doing poos on these occasions were not.
Don't know how to pass on the knowledge, it just happened to the two of them.