BLIND CHICKENS NEED EXERCISE TOO - - HOW??

[coffeechick]

I am worried that my little 3 month old blind (hopefully temporary!) hen is gonna deteriorate from not getting exercise! WHAT DO I DO? She just sits or stands or takes a few steps - - that's it! If I had lots of spare time I would put a harness around her and try my best to lead her around the yard - - but I don't.

She lives in my laundry room right now. Poor little bored thing. We have a dog who would kill her in a flash if I were to let her just roam around too.

IDEAS ANYONE??

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Idk, but I have a hen that is going blind so I would really like to know what you find out.

Hope it is temporary and she can get better!

 

[TeamChaos]

My daughter actually bought a chicken toy at petsmart a few months back- it was a little yellow ball that food would fall out of when it moved. I wonder if you got one of those and put a bell on it, if she'd make the connection and play with it. Does she like to scratch? Does she have a tub of sand or dirt to dust bathe in?

 

[sdsmowen]

I would build a small enclosed run (to protect her from what she can't see) and take her out to peck and scratch a little each day

 

[coffeechick]

So far she has not scratched or acted like she was trying to get a dust bath. I have another chick that I bring in to keep her company for a while -- thinking she would copy her behaviors but so far she hasn't. She does begin to peck at the food dish when she hears the other chicken pecking though. But that's it. They eat and then They just cuddle up together and nap. ha

I like the idea of an enclosed safe outdoor pen.. but it's not very likely. Unfortunately. Once I know she is for sure healthy (minus the closed eyes) I am going to need to find her a nice home to go to.. some where that she can stay indoors or with only one other chicken in a safe environment. I would love to keep her but it's not feasible at this time. I will not let her die tho.. I will find her a new home or I will keep on doing what I am doing. My husband is thinking I am a bit over board on Beep Beep.... but I HAVE TO TRY to help her - it's only natural!

 

[Sylvestor12]

Well like a blind person they need to feel so if you get an enclosure of some sort you might want to take some time and lead her around the whole thing showing the edges and where to find food and water. Also, when feeding and giving her water, make it noisy. Your hen will rely on its other senses like touch and hear. I can't offer make but I hope she gets better!

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Could you get like a wire dog crate, then put a little cardboard around the edges so nobody pecks her. Then put her in her crate on some nice grass in the shade and see if she plays with the grass. I think it would at least be healthy for her to feel the grass.

 

[Sylvestor12]

Well you could do that but if you want her to get exercise it needs to have a little grass, dirt, and a little shade area. Another possibility, is that maybe when you have some free time you could try to let her walk around the yard or guide her around.