Disabled Chickens Forum

[theoldchick]

Most excellent!

 

[Tookie]

In the interim, we suggest that all those that have special-needs birds join together in a single thread titled something like "Disabled And Special-Needs Chicken Thread". From there people could link to their own threads in the appropriate related sections about their specific chicken.

If a thread is started I would love to be included. I have a 19 wk old pullet with neurological issues.

There's actually already a thread about special needs chickens!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/perfectly-imperfect-birds-an-appreciation-thread.1539040/

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

There's actually already a thread about special needs chickens!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/perfectly-imperfect-birds-an-appreciation-thread.1539040/

I'd be happy to continue an already made thread but is there anyway to make it more visible to searching such as adding tags or something?

 

[The Birb King]

I had one hen with a leg deformity. She was born with it spread out to the side and couldn't really do anything but hobble around. I also had a button quail hen with the exact same problem. Sadly the button quail only lived for a few months, and the chicken lived around 2 years. I put a cast on her leg and did my best for her though.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I'd be happy to continue an already made thread but is there anyway to make it more visible to searching such as adding tags or something?

Interesting question. I am discussing options with staff on this. I will let you all know if it's doable.

 

[triciayoung]

I think this is a good idea!
I myself have a sorta disabled hen, not nearly as bad as some of yours though. Her right wing is paralyzed, so she cannot use it at all. It's been like that since she was a chick.

Great discussion everyone!

I've brought this idea up with the rest of the moderators, and found this to be similar to the request and response here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/suggestion-for-possible-new-thread-categories-topics-headings-.1594146/post-27092524

We recognize the potential benefits of having a specialized section. However, after careful consideration and in light of our previous response in that thread regarding forum organization, we are concerned about potential confusion for our members.

While we won't be creating a separate forum, we're exploring alternative ways to accommodate these discussions, such as utilizing tags or keywords to label relevant threads. This will help members find information while maintaining the simplicity of our current structure.

In the interim, we suggest that all those that have special-needs birds join together in a single thread titled something like "Disabled And Special-Needs Chicken Thread". From there people could link to their own threads in the appropriate related sections about their specific chicken.

Again, we appreciate your understanding and your commitment to enriching our community!

I am very disappointed. The example you provided is like comparing apples and oranges. We, with disabled birds are spending an exhaustive amount of time and money taking care of these birds and we need a place to make our lives just a little easier if that is possible. But the only way it is possible is for us to have a group together.

 

[triciayoung]

There's actually already a thread about special needs chickens!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/perfectly-imperfect-birds-an-appreciation-thread.1539040/

Thanks tookie, but as you know, threads don't function the same way as the forums.

 

[triciayoung]

I'd be happy to continue an already made thread but is there anyway to make it more visible to searching such as adding tags or something?

A thread won't work for us - we have completely different needs for our chickens and need to have a forum for the functionality required. Threads are so wonky and time-consuming.

 

[triciayoung]

I had one hen with a leg deformity. She was born with it spread out to the side and couldn't really do anything but hobble around. I also had a button quail hen with the exact same problem. Sadly the button quail only lived for a few months, and the chicken lived around 2 years. I put a cast on her leg and did my best for her though.

God Bless you for giving them the best life possible. Your post made me cry.

 

[Mason Farm and Ranch]

I believe there are many members with disabled and geriatric limited mobility chickens that need a place to go to ask questions and share ideas with others experiencing the same challenges.

While I understand there may be a reluctance to add another forum, I would ask you to consider this request analogous to the "raising baby chicks" forum. Raising baby chicks could be in "managing your flock" or specific to feeding and water issues; in "feeding and watering your flock". My guess is that it a separate category because almost everything about raising chicks is different than when the chicks become adults. The same is true for the disabled chicken, how and where they sleep, what they eat, housing, security, wheelchairs and other aids to get around; all of it is different than the healthy non-disabled chicken.

I just adopted my second disabled hen. She is unable to walk. Sometimes she can hop but not far. I spent a considerable amount of time using the search function on BYC to find others who were raising disabled chickens to get ideas about how to improve her quality of life. I found some after an hour of searching, but this is not a sustainable method for getting help for these special chickens. I was more successful finding resources on Google.

I call them my special needs chickens.

I agree. I section for special needs chooks is an excellent idea.