We've had so many baby chickens in the house of the years (my husband loves chickens) that I guess I'm just use to the noise. But the mess I will never get use too. If you have some hay/straw throw that in there with them, it will help the mess, even some sand or dirt from the yard, if you have too. If not you are going to have some really really messy chicks.

Baby chickens are so cute. I think it's so neat that you got him some baby chickens for his 21st birthday. All my brother wanted on his 21st birthday was to go to a bar. So typical.