Coop/Run Dilemma

[micstrachan]

Greetings. I have an aging flock. I am down to just three hens, ages almost 10 to 5 1/2 years. Unfortunately, my oldest hen, Bridge, who was alpha up until around May, has a foot that does not dorsally flex. Her good foot also has a couple bad toes, so she does not get around very well. In May when one of the second tier hens died, the three junior hens started ganging up on Bridge. They were possibly going to kill her, so I had to separate her. Since then, two died. The run is divided in half, and I closed off the loft part of the coop. I had one friend with her, but she just died. The “neutral” hen who gets along with both the remaining bully (Flo) and Bridge prefers to hang with Flo, who is still pretty active.

So here’s the dilemma. Bridge can’t get to the loft herself. I hand carry her every morning and evening. Soon daylight savings will end and I’ll be getting home after dark. So I need a shelter for Bridge. It has to be down low, like at ground level. I was thinking of maybe a dog house or a covered dog crate. I would still move her to the loft when I get home, but at least she’d have a bit of shelter better than just the run until then.

Thoughts?

 

[micstrachan]

Also, the fact that I’m suddenly having a bunch of deaths is also concerning, but that’s a separate issue.

 

[StinkyAcres]

A dog house or crate sounds like a good solution to me. Does she have to sleep in the loft? Could you place a short roost in the crate for her instead?

 

[Crazy Chicken Keeper]

I would cull them they're way too old, get some new ones. Sorry if this sounds unhelpful but that's how I roll

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I would cull them they're way too old, get some new ones. Sorry if this sounds unhelpful but that's how I roll

Valid viewpoint, but the idea here is to answer the OP’s question. I imagine that the OP has already considered this and dismissed it.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

A dog house or crate sounds like a good solution to me. Does she have to sleep in the loft? Could you place a short roost in the crate for her instead?

Agreed - a cozy dog house with a roost sounds like a good solution for an elderly hen with mobility issues.

 

[Sylvester017]

Sweet baby... I hate when they deteriorate

We have several recycled dog houses set around the yard for snoozing/hiding 14+ yrs now.

She may or may not choose to use the doghouse... so also have a sheltered corner away from any drafts if she doesn't use the house. Also point the doghouse door away from your prevailing winds, plus elevate the house on some flat paver stones so the door isn't getting ground drafts yet the house is still low enough for her to climb in. Some straw or shavings on the floor of the house too. Keep cobwebs clear inside the house & under it too ~ Garden spiders love spinning webs everywhere.

Flat 1-inch thick paver stones to elevate the house just a little.

 

[Sylvester017]

A dog house or crate sounds like a good solution to me. Does she have to sleep in the loft? Could you place a short roost in the crate for her instead?

I have used stand alone perches & they are too flimsy for our birds to feel secure cuz they aren't stable.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I have used stand alone perches & they are too flimsy for our birds to feel secure cuz they aren't stable.

If you're handy you can make your own for much less money and they'll be much stronger.

 

[Sylvester017]

If you're handy you can make your own for much less money and they'll be much stronger.

She works so may not have the extra time for DIY