Pigeon friends for a disabled chicken?

[sals_chicks]

Hi All -

Putting this in the pigeon category, but please keep in mind I am open to other options also.

Back Story (I'll try to keep it short.) My chicken flock is thriving and all doing really well. I have one chicken that came to me as a 3 day old baby with a leg deformity (NOT splay leg) which over-time impacted her ability to walk well. She can still walk, she just kinda hobbles. Long story short, I had to separate her from the rest of the flock because they were picking on her a lot, and her inability to get away quickly landed her with some pecking wounds. She has since healed up and is doing well, but she is still separated, and I think, a little lonely. But she lays almost daily, eats well, is sweet and social, etc... Until my vet tells me she appears to be suffering, I am going to keep her and give her a good life.....

Which leads me to my question...

I am planning to build her an attached (but still separated) run/small coop of her own this spring so she can be back outside with the rest of the flock, but I'd like to try to find her some friends to live with.

Would a couple rescue pigeons be a good fit? There seems to be mixed opinions on the internet about it. My thoughts are, if I build a shared space correctly, the pigeons would be able to get away from her if needed (she doesnt move around very fast) and that possibly they'd provide her with less boredom and a bit of companionship so she is less alone?

Are there other "friends" you might consider?

Thanks in advance for any insight shared!

 

[FowlProtector]

It sounds like you're really thoughtful about your chicken's well-being, and it's great that you're considering ways to improve her social life!
As for adding pigeons as companions, there are definitely mixed opinions on the matter. Pigeons are generally calm and docile, and they tend to get along well with other animals, as long as there’s space for them to retreat if needed. They might help provide some companionship for your chicken, especially if they have a safe area to retreat to. However, you’ll want to ensure that your chicken has plenty of space in the run and that she doesn’t feel overcrowded or stressed. The lack of mobility could make it harder for her to establish boundaries with other animals, so a separate space where the pigeons can get away from her would be ideal.
Other possible companions could include ducks, which are often more laid-back, but again, the setup needs to allow for easy escape for your chicken. Another option might be a couple of other chickens with a similar temperament, though you mentioned your flock has been rough on her, so introducing new chickens could potentially add stress.
Ultimately, it’s all about creating a peaceful environment where everyone feels safe and comfortable. I think the idea of giving her some pigeon friends sounds lovely, as long as you make sure they can coexist peacefully!
How does that sound to you? Would you want to explore some other types of birds or small animals as companions too?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi All -

Putting this in the pigeon category, but please keep in mind I am open to other options also.

Back Story (I'll try to keep it short.) My chicken flock is thriving and all doing really well. I have one chicken that came to me as a 3 day old baby with a leg deformity (NOT splay leg) which over-time impacted her ability to walk well. She can still walk, she just kinda hobbles. Long story short, I had to separate her from the rest of the flock because they were picking on her a lot, and her inability to get away quickly landed her with some pecking wounds. She has since healed up and is doing well, but she is still separated, and I think, a little lonely. But she lays almost daily, eats well, is sweet and social, etc... Until my vet tells me she appears to be suffering, I am going to keep her and give her a good life.....

Which leads me to my question...

I am planning to build her an attached (but still separated) run/small coop of her own this spring so she can be back outside with the rest of the flock, but I'd like to try to find her some friends to live with.

Would a couple rescue pigeons be a good fit? There seems to be mixed opinions on the internet about it. My thoughts are, if I build a shared space correctly, the pigeons would be able to get away from her if needed (she doesnt move around very fast) and that possibly they'd provide her with less boredom and a bit of companionship so she is less alone?

Are there other "friends" you might consider?

Thanks in advance for any insight shared!

I doubt Pigeons would even interact with her or even be a companion. They tend to perch as high as they can and would interact with each other (their own species).

Another couple of chickens would provide companionship, but possible they may pick on her too.

I can't think of any other birds that would be suitable companions for her.
Often a bird alone can thrive if provided with some interaction from you and if they are very near the other chickens. Putting her in a coop/run right next to the other chickens is probably your best solution.

 

[Gill-b]

Out of interest, since I am still learning about chicken characteristics and dynamics...

- What breed of chicken is it?
- How old is your chicken now?
- Is she a broody hen?

Would it help to let her brood over two or three eggs in the spring?

Would it work to let her hatch out the eggs and care for the chicks?

Would chicks bond with her and not peck at her when they mature?

Would it work to let her mother chicks of a breed of chicken that is smaller than her?

 

[sals_chicks]

I doubt Pigeons would even interact with her or even be a companion. They tend to perch as high as they can and would interact with each other (their own species).

Another couple of chickens would provide companionship, but possible they may pick on her too.

I can't think of any other birds that would be suitable companions for her.
Often a bird alone can thrive if provided with some interaction from you and if they are very near the other chickens. Putting her in a coop/run right next to the other chickens is probably your best solution.

I don't really think other chickens is an option. I tried penning her off with my most friendly chicken, and she picked on her too.

The plan right now is to build a separated space within the existing coop/run - so that may be the path forward. She would have only visual interaction with the rest of the flock. Mostly I am just bummed that she would have to roost alone, especially during the cold months.

I figured the pigeons may provide at least some visual entertainment for her, as well as something for her to roost with at night, even if they don't snuggle up.

 

[sals_chicks]

Out of interest, since I am still learning about chicken characteristics and dynamics...

- What breed of chicken is it?
- How old is your chicken now?
- Is she a broody hen?

Would it help to let her brood over two or three eggs in the spring?

Would it work to let her hatch out the eggs and care for the chicks?

Would chicks bond with her and not peck at her when they mature?

Would it work to let her mother chicks of a breed of chicken that is smaller than her?

She is a 2 year Splash Maran, and in the 2 years I've had her she has not been broody once, so I'm not sure if raising chicks would be a path forward or not. Though if it would end up in a few chickens that may not pick on her, it might be worth considering.

 

[sals_chicks]

It sounds like you're really thoughtful about your chicken's well-being, and it's great that you're considering ways to improve her social life!
As for adding pigeons as companions, there are definitely mixed opinions on the matter. Pigeons are generally calm and docile, and they tend to get along well with other animals, as long as there’s space for them to retreat if needed. They might help provide some companionship for your chicken, especially if they have a safe area to retreat to. However, you’ll want to ensure that your chicken has plenty of space in the run and that she doesn’t feel overcrowded or stressed. The lack of mobility could make it harder for her to establish boundaries with other animals, so a separate space where the pigeons can get away from her would be ideal.
Other possible companions could include ducks, which are often more laid-back, but again, the setup needs to allow for easy escape for your chicken. Another option might be a couple of other chickens with a similar temperament, though you mentioned your flock has been rough on her, so introducing new chickens could potentially add stress.
Ultimately, it’s all about creating a peaceful environment where everyone feels safe and comfortable. I think the idea of giving her some pigeon friends sounds lovely, as long as you make sure they can coexist peacefully!
How does that sound to you? Would you want to explore some other types of birds or small animals as companions too?

As much as I would love to have ducks (or other types of larger birds), it is not an option for where I live.

I do believe I have sufficient space, and lots of areas for pigeons to retreat to that are enclosed and predator safe. So that part would not be an issue. Of course any new animals I would introduce would have all of their needs met.

Since the chickens in her existing flock (which she was fully integrated with) are picking on her, I am not sure that will be different with new chickens, even if they grow up with her as chicks. Adding new chickens is something I plan to do with my flock, but not with the intention of living with my disabled girl.

More thinking to be done on this one, I suppose.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I don't really think other chickens is an option. I tried penning her off with my most friendly chicken, and she picked on her too.

The plan right now is to build a separated space within the existing coop/run - so that may be the path forward. She would have only visual interaction with the rest of the flock. Mostly I am just bummed that she would have to roost alone, especially during the cold months.

I figured the pigeons may provide at least some visual entertainment for her, as well as something for her to roost with at night, even if they don't snuggle up.

I don't think Pigeons would snuggle with her unfortunately. They may provide some visual entertainment, but the seem to mainly stay up on perches. Mine does get on the floor and walk around, but that's to eat/drink and take a water bath in her water bath dish. Otherwise, up as high as she can be.

I do think having her area within the existing coop/run is a good idea, at least she can see everyone.

I understand your thoughts and idea and can sympathize. I have a lone Pigeon and I sometimes feel bad for her. I've considered getting another 1-2 Pigeons for company, but worry about bringing in disease that some can carry and there's really not a way to sex pigeons really, so...

That's another concern for you to consider, Pigeons can have disease like Canker that can be transmitted to Poultry, so you'd want to be aware of that.

 

[sals_chicks]

I don't think Pigeons would snuggle with her unfortunately. They may provide some visual entertainment, but the seem to mainly stay up on perches. Mine does get on the floor and walk around, but that's to eat/drink and take a water bath in her water bath dish. Otherwise, up as high as she can be.

I do think having her area within the existing coop/run is a good idea, at least she can see everyone.

I understand your thoughts and idea and can sympathize. I have a lone Pigeon and I sometimes feel bad for her. I've considered getting another 1-2 Pigeons for company, but worry about bringing in disease that some can carry and there's really not a way to sex pigeons really, so...

That's another concern for you to consider, Pigeons can have disease like Canker that can be transmitted to Poultry, so you'd want to be aware of that.

Absolutely reading up on canker and other things that can spread from chicken to pigeon and vice versa. I do think this is a vital part of housing any kinds of animals/species together. I have considered the aspect of breeding also, as I am not interested in raising any baby pigeons... All things I am thinking about.

Is your pigeon housed separately from your chickens?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Absolutely reading up on canker and other things that can spread from chicken to pigeon and vice versa. I do think this is a vital part of housing any kinds of animals/species together. I have considered the aspect of breeding also, as I am not interested in raising any baby pigeons... All things I am thinking about.

Is your pigeon housed separately from your chickens?

Yes, she's housed separately.

Some folks like @WVduckchick do have pigeons with their chickens or ducks. Everyone does things a bit differently.