Coop for special needs chicken - ADVICE PLEASE

[azygous]

You've set my concerns at ease. I was concerned you may be dealing unsuspectingly with an avian virus rather than a genetic deformity. In the case of an avian virus, it would have been crucial not to expose the younger chicks to her, mainly that they not "adopt" her and want to cuddle under her, thus being exposed to a huge amount of shed virus in her dander. Now I know this is not applicable here.

All systems are a GO, so you're getting some great tips from the others. Having accommodated many disabled chickens of my own over the years, I think it's great what you're trying to do for this little girl.

@NatJ is definitely on the right track advising a rectangular shelter and open area combo. I picture something more the size of what @Aunt Angus posted than the huge kennel you are contemplating. I've found that disabled chickens understand very well that they are vulnerable and cannot flee danger. Therefore, they appreciate a world brought down to a much smaller size that other chickens require, and this gives them the sense of security they crave. This is why I really like @NatJ s idea.

 

[TJAnonymous]

You've set my concerns at ease. I was concerned you may be dealing unsuspectingly with an avian virus rather than a genetic deformity. In the case of an avian virus, it would have been crucial not to expose the younger chicks to her, mainly that they not "adopt" her and want to cuddle under her, thus being exposed to a huge amount of shed virus in her dander. Now I know this is not applicable here.

All systems are a GO, so you're getting some great tips from the others. Having accommodated many disabled chickens of my own over the years, I think it's great what you're trying to do for this little girl.

@NatJ is definitely on the right track advising a rectangular shelter and open area combo. I picture something more the size of what @Aunt Angus posted than the huge kennel you are contemplating. I've found that disabled chickens understand very well that they are vulnerable and cannot flee danger. Therefore, they appreciate a world brought down to a much smaller size that other chickens require, and this gives them the sense of security they crave. This is why I really like @NatJ s idea.

I read over my previous post and realized I wasn't very clear. I was going to use the kennel to give the deformed pullet and her Silkie companion a defined space that's in the main chicken yard but would keep them safe/separated from the bigger chickens. However, I would still be building a coop at ground level inside the kernel. The kennel is 10 ft x 6 ft. I would make the coop around 2 ft x 4 ft.

I'm hoping I can incorporate Nat's plan that way? I just need a drawing to better visualize it.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I read over my previous post and realized I wasn't very clear. I was going to use the kennel to give the deformed pullet and her Silkie companion a defined space that's in the main chicken yard but would keep them safe/separated from the bigger chickens. However, I would still be building a coop at ground level inside the kernel. The kennel is 10 ft x 6 ft. I would make the coop around 2 ft x 4 ft.

I'm hoping I can incorporate Nat's plan that way? I just need a drawing to better visualize it.

Kinda like this, I think:

 

[NatJ]

Kinda like this, I think:
View attachment 3204989

YES!

That is almost exactly what I was trying to describe!

 

[NatJ]

I'm having trouble visualizing what you are trying to describe. Are you able to draw it on a piece of paper and take a picture?

@Aunt Angus responded sooner than I did, and posted a picture of what I meant.

It's like a combo of a covered run and a run-in shed, shrunk to chicken size. (Hers has a rabbit in it.)

 

[azygous]

I think your plan is an excellent one. You're going to way more trouble for a disabled chicken than I would, and I have gone to some extreme measures over the years. @NatJ s idea is perfect for this pullet, and the larger kennel around it would really be more than the pullet needs to be content.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Thanks for the replies! Yes, the picture helps a lot and makes perfect sense! Would that be large enough for both the special needs pullet and the Silkie? I would think she would need a cuddle buddy, especially in winter?

 

[azygous]

I think so. The lame pullet will not need much space and Silkies are generally quite content in a small run space.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Great! I think this is very doable... The only tweaks I would make would to use plywood on the lid. I can already forsee the goats climbing on top of it...

 

[azygous]

Ha! Goats! They do adore a good climb. Once I had a goat in a residential neighborhood. Passers by would comment to me, as I was standing in the yard watering, "Do you know you have a "sheep" on your garage roof?"