How to keep a hen in the infirmary crate entertained and subdued!

[flutemomc]

Our poor hen Henrietta has some internal injuries (confirmed by a vet who did x rays and found several spots of concern on her back and ribs) that most likely occurred from her falling off a perch during a rough molt and has been confined to the infirmary crate for a month!! She has only been in there a day and is already trying to come out and scratch! It is essential that she allows herself to rest (she is having trouble at the moment walking and standing) but I also want to make the month more bearable if possible! Does any one have any experience in extended crating or any ideas on how to entertain herself! She is our only hen left at the moment and has been doing great by herself (think she actually prefers it) so don’t have to worry about any other chickens. Here she is enjoying some sunshine; the crate is in the run most of the day.

 

[Cheychey222]

Maybe you could put a pile/container of chicken food in there.

 

[Cheychey222]

You could give her a little more attention than usual

 

[flutemomc]

Maybe you could put a pile/container of chicken food in there.

She has food and water in there her body is just blocking it the attention is a good idea, even just sitting with her may make her day a bit better! Thank you!

 

[Cheychey222]

She has food and water in there her body is just blocking it the attention is a good idea, even just sitting with her may make her day a bit better! Thank you!

 

[Mrs. K]

boy, she looks healthy to me. I would let her out of that cage, especially as she is by herself, maybe a smaller coop/run set up.

Do you have a video of her walking problem? It would be hard for me to keep her in that cage.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I had a pullet penned up for 6 weeks while treating for wry neck, she literally couldn't stand without falling over so had to be penned for safety. Her "entertainment" was watching the other chickens wander around.

Unfortunately sometimes they just have to sit tight until they're well enough to let out. You mentioned she's your only hen, does that mean there's at least some roos wandering around for her to look at/talk to?