chicks - anyone's DCs have them?

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

We went to a local farm today and rather on the spur of the moment I agreed to buy a chick for DS. Then one for DD. Now we have two of them at home and they are already driving me mad with the noise and pooing everywhere. We've put them in a box but also allow them to roam for a free-range life. DH is away this w/end, he won't be too happy I think.

Any tips on keeping the mess & noise down?

BTW they are tiny, less than 8 weeks old (£2 each, they'd have been £4 each if older). We can take them to GPs at the end of the summer, they have a big garden (if they - the chicks - survive that long) but how do we make it till then?