Reintroducing inside chicken to coop and outside temps around 15-35f

[Auntiearielschickens]

I had a chicken(JuJu) get attacked by her sisters. I have 14 hens in all of different breeds(cochins, Delaware, leghorns, polish). The coop and run are sized for 20 chickens. I think one of us must have accidentally stepped on Juju and hurt her foot. She was limping pretty bad, but is walking fine now. Which I think that is what caused the attacking.? But that is my speculation. They got her pretty bad but as you can see in the pics it has healed well. I would like to reintroduce her to the coop. My plan is to place her in a dog kennel in the run during the warmer parts of the day for a few hours. Then place her in my husbands shop or our garage over night. It is mid to high 30s most days, but at night it drops. To 10s-20s. After a few days I’m thinking I could overnight her in the coop. Then back in the kennel during the days. Then eventually let her free . Is this a good plan for introducing her back/acclimating ?She is the chillest chicken and has acclimated to inside like she belongs. My dogs even don’t mind her. If she needs to stay inside longer she can but I know it’s best for her to be with the girls. And I don’t like the poop.

 

[aart]

The coop and run are sized for 20 chickens.

How big are they in feet by feet?
Got some pics, inside and out.

My plan is to place her in a dog kennel in the run during the warmer parts of the day for a few hours.

That's a good place to start.
Will the crate fit inside the coop?

 

[Callender Girl]

Best wishes with the reintroduction. Your plan sounds well thought out.

I am facing a similar situation after one of my hens suffered severe frostbite on her feet. Eleanor is recovering, minus a few toes, in a dog crate in an upstairs bedroom. I really, really want to get her outside again. Not only do I have concerns about her old coop mates' interactions with their newly limited friend, but it's been pretty cold here in northern Iowa, too.

And, amen on the poop! I'm quite tired of cleaning up.

Would love to see updates on JuJu's return to the outdoors. BTW, she's lovely!

 

[Auntiearielschickens]

How big are they in feet by feet?
Got some pics, inside and out.


That's a good place to start.
Will the crate fit inside the coop?

10ft in the run and 3ft in the coop enough for 20 birds.

 

[Auntiearielschickens]

I put her outside yesterday and with it being 40 today she is doing well. I put her kennel in the coop at night and she did fine. It’s 40s and 30s high over the next few days before it drops again so I think she will acclimate well. The other hens did get to her tho and peck her some more so I adjusted the set up and she will have to stay in the kennel a little longer to heal more I think

 

[aart]

10ft in the run and 3ft in the coop enough for 20 birds.

I assume that's square feet per the 20 birds?

 

[Auntiearielschickens]

I assume that's square feet per the 20 birds?

Yes 10 square feet in the run per bird and 3square feet in the coop per bird.