First time chicken guardian and the hen is blind. Seeking positive advice.

[WildfireBreezy]

She was just growing in her adult feathers and had been wild for a while, only eating late evening with some older roosters. Her mama had disappeared leaving behind her and her 7 siblings. My house mate caught and transferred her siblings here, however was unable to find her for weeks. He thought something must have gotten her too, eventually one evening he saw her adventure out with the older roosters and caught her. Bringing her home he placed her in with the others, me being unsure, I kept a close eye for the first couple days, however it still took me 3 days to realize that she wasn't just scared of the others but that they were picking on her, she would get stuck somewhere and just stay there. My heart broke for her.Not knowing if she was eating at all I immediately brought her inside our home. Especially since we don't actually have a coop at all. My house mate just closed off a stall in the barn to put the chickens up at night. They are all free-range and like to remind me of this on our porches and front yard. Yet, my sweet Ruby (her name) is living in a playpen set up in our living room. She has a nest, large scratch pan full of different chicken foods, and water bowl, and even a sand box. My son and I take her outside as we can and babysit her carefully. I have dogs, cats, a goat, and big buzzards always keeping eyes on her too. I just want to do the best for her, so I am asking for positive advice. I would love to hear others stories too. So many questions, and so little info on this online.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

So sorry you're having to deal with bullies!
If you have an enclosed kennel type pen with out a bottom, so she can eat grass n Peck n scratch available, you could put her close to the barn where they can all see each other but not pick on her. Sometimes after a short time you can release her and they will accept her and be nice. Just watch how they behave when you do. If they continue, repeat the process. If that doesn't work I'm out of ideas but others will come along with more advice I'm sure.
And welcome aboard! It's nice to meet you!

 

[WildfireBreezy]

So sorry you're having to deal with bullies!
If you have an enclosed kennel type pen with out a bottom, so she can eat grass n Peck n scratch available, you could put her close to the barn where they can all see each other but not pick on her. Sometimes after a short time you can release her and they will accept her and be nice. Just watch how they behave when you do. If they continue, repeat the process. If that doesn't work I'm out of ideas but others will come along with more advice I'm sure.
And welcome aboard! It's nice to meet you!

Thank you.I'm looking forward to it. Until then, I have a wire "puppy" playpen that we move around her at times when we are watching her outside. She knows it is there and if we aren't careful she will attempt the fly out of it to get to our voices. She has actually "flown" out of the playpen when she heard me home for a while and I hadn't gone to check on her yet. Lol. Now she gets a more immediate response from me as soon as I get home, just so she doesn't hurt herself. When outside I have let the others come to say hi, but each time they ran up to and pecked her. She didn't see it coming and I didn't know how they would react until it was in progress. I am her defender, and she knows it. The last time she was pecked (on the head) and I was 2 seconds to late to stop it, she actually said "Owww". I can't let her get hurt anymore, so I have to stand guard. They have made attempts to get in to her playpen and try to peck through the wires. She can not see, so she doesn't know how close anything really is. I have also tried an enclosed wire dog crate, however my cats thought it would be cool to lay beside it and on it. To them no harm is meant, to Ruby she just knows something is there and its not me. So she hunkers down and stays that way, not having any enjoyment being outside. IDK.........i can't afford to build a coop for her yet. But doing my best for the moment.

 

[Isaac 0]

Weclome to BYC!

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

With her being unable to see, you might try getting one younger than her and see if they'll bond. If so, you may find she'll stick close to it and it may protect her from the others once it's big enough to do so. That just means you're looking at continuing the way it is now until such time and even that may not work. She may just have to be a housechicken from now on. Only other thing I can think of is putting her down and I assume that's not something you wish to do.
Good luck to you and best wishes!

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are so glad you joined our flock.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

 

[WildfireBreezy]

I love the thought of that! Crazy thing is I was thinking that she would do great with a young'n, but then was reminded that we have no coop. No outside area for this to happen yet. I was almost crazy enough to bring one home for her and then realized that this baby was going to grow fast and it would have the sight to fly around my home. As much as I am loving my hen I have to admit she is messy without trying.. and the smell is not the greatest. Lol. I am somehow gonna make or get her a small coop that she can eventually share with another sweet hen. I've been searching online and checking out plans, ideas, and up-cycling to make this happen.

 

[Robin37]

Hello, my name is Robin. It is nice to meet you and

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Sound like a good plan!

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Also, have you checked into chicken diapers? If you have to keep her in the house alot, might be worth it to check it out.