Chickens in cupboards

[mcsproot]

I was wondering if it's possible to preserve a live chicken in a cupboard (or other container).

I don't have a coop yet, but then again chickens (and trolls) are the only animal I haven't seen yet. Should I build a coop now so it's ready? Or can I keep chickens in the tool shed until I'm ready?

Also, I read on the wiki that chicks grow when they eat the fodder. Do the live chickens also need fodder to live?

[kralmir]

yes. and they can only eat in a coop. they wills starve to death in other places.

[mcsproot]

yes. and they can only eat in a coop. they wills starve to death in other places.

Right, so I can't keep them in cupboards?

I was hoping I could, at the expense of them not laying.

Better get a coop up just in case.

[TeckXKnight]

It takes a day or two before chickens starve to death without a coop. They're losing quality while starving to death, mind you, so it's always best to have them fresh. That said, q1 chickens will only take about a week to get back up in quality. What's more vital is that you actually have a consistent food source to feed them with once you've got them in a coop.

[kralmir]

are you sure mate? i've never had chickens starve but i thought it was just a lose half the q on death. and not steady drop of q till death.

[TeckXKnight]

Just like cattle, the quality change is not represented visually on the animal. However, after eating low quality feed/fodder or not eating, their product qualities will drop. This is true for milk, wool, meat, bone, skin, and eggs.

Chickens will starve to death, yes.