Friends for my disabled hen- need advice

[Keeper]

Hello, Peeps! Need an opinion on providing companionship for my mobility-challenged chicken.

Cordelia is a Black Copper Maran, can walk and even run if she's really motivated, but with difficulty and doesn't do it very often, or quickly. She doesn't roost. The vet says there is nothing we can do and she is not in pain.

The rest of the flock bullies her so I separated her with one very mellow, docile chicken who became her friend, but recently died.

My plan is to get a couple of adult silkie hens. Silkies sometimes prefer to "pile" rather than roost, and bear confinement well, right? I've never had bantams before. I am looking for mellow, sweet birds who will be happy to hang out with Cordelia in a 4x8 indoor area in the winter, sleep with her, not bully her and hopefully make friends.

Does Silkie sound like the best breed? My plan is to get two but would one be better? Hoping for mellow, not flighty or skittish birds. Planning on trimming their crests so they can see. Would it be better to get birds that can fly, in case she tries to bully them? She's always been one of my more mellow, friendly chickens, but of course there will be an adjustment period.

Thanks!

 

[Keeper]

Silkies are little. Maybe he won't notice lol.

 

[MagpieDucks]

Another nice breed are cochin bantams. I think you might look into them.

 

[chickendreams24]

Faverolles are one of the most docile breeds there are but mine do roost. If they don't have access to a roost they pile. Any chickens will pile without a roost or anything else to get on.

We have silkies also and they would probably do well with her but I would make sure you handle them a lot. Especially if you're not going to raise them.

It's all going to come down to how her temperament meshes with the buddies. I would probably add at least two buddies. You don't want to risk one passing again and she's alone. Also silkies tend to do better in flocks with at least two silkies in the flock.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hello, Peeps! Need an opinion on providing companionship for my mobility-challenged chicken.

Cordelia is a Black Copper Maran, can walk and even run if she's really motivated, but with difficulty and doesn't do it very often, or quickly. She doesn't roost. The vet says there is nothing we can do and she is not in pain.

The rest of the flock bullies her so I separated her with one very mellow, docile chicken who became her friend, but recently died.

My plan is to get a couple of adult silkie hens. Silkies sometimes prefer to "pile" rather than roost, and bear confinement well, right? I've never had bantams before. I am looking for mellow, sweet birds who will be happy to hang out with Cordelia in a 4x8 indoor area in the winter, sleep with her, not bully her and hopefully make friends.

Does Silkie sound like the best breed? My plan is to get two but would one be better? Hoping for mellow, not flighty or skittish birds. Planning on trimming their crests so they can see. Would it be better to get birds that can fly, in case she tries to bully them? She's always been one of my more mellow, friendly chickens, but of course there will be an adjustment period.
Thanks!

Silkies are your good choice I think you are here in Washington right we have a state thread with silky people in it where you could get younger birds
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...me-together-washington-peeps.717207/page-4299

 

[N F C]

Sorry to hear about Cordelia. I've never raised Silkies so can't say how that would work out.

We used to have a "special needs" RIR named Taylor. It wasn't safe for Taylor to be in with the rest of our flock so we set up her own mini-run and coop on the other side of the flock's run (with plenty of fencing between them). That way Taylor could be outside when the other girls were and when it was time to go to bed, she went into the coop through her own pop door and slept safely behind fencing next to the others. It worked well for her (and us). I just mention it in case that's something that might work for your Cordelia.

Best wishes that all works out well for both of you!

 

[Keeper]

sometimes her old buddy that was a chick at the same time as Taylor would lay on one side of the run right next to Taylor.

That is so sweet, I love it!

When cold weather came (and north FL can get down to freezing), Taylor had a heat lamp set up high out of her reach that warmed up her little 'coop' at night. Plus, I piled her straw bedding up high so she could snuggle down into it.

Yes, thinking of doing something similar. Deep bedding for sure! Probably infared heat bulb as well. Got one that is for reptiles and supposed to be fire safe.

Maybe the Silkie idea would work for you. If it doesn't, you'd have a couple new birds anyway. Silkies are supposed to be great broodies so if you ever thought of hatching fertile eggs, you'd have them as the mama birds.

Have to admit this crossed by mind! Dear Hubs doesn't think we need anymore chickens but....

 

[N F C]

I like your attitude @Keeper (and the way you care for your animals)!

If you'd like to meet some really nice members, come on over to my chat thread any time you'd like:The NFC B-Day Chat Thread

 

[Keeper]

You know I was originally thinking of bantam cochins! Am a huge fan of all that fluffiness. But then I thought maybe they would prefer to roost, not sleep with Cordelia. What do you think? Also in your experience are they flighty/skittish? Looking for friendly but also calm, cool and collected.

It's funny you mention Faverolles. Her little bestie who I had to recently put to sleep was a Salmon Faverolles named Cosette. I tried my other two SF with them before but they were way too neurotic, unfortunately.

 

[chickendreams24]

Idk about calling them flighty but they can be easily startled but if you want them super friendly always best to tame and handle them a lot. Of course some birds don't like to be handled but most of my silkies enjoy it.

Silkies with their extra toes and feathered feet tend to need their nails clipped from time to time especially if they'll be confined to a run and that will make it easier if they're tame. Their extra toe(s) don't usually wear down naturally. It's also better if they're tame if you decide to have them hatch chicks, if they trust you they're more likely to be okay with you handling the chicks and the chicks will usually be calmer around you too. Plus if they're comfortable with you it will make caring for Cordelia easier. You don't want them getting startled and startling her.

I do have a couple silkie girls that are a bit flighty but trimming their crest helps a lot. The world is scary if you can't see. One of my girls one time got startled and ran headlong into a tree lol so the crests can be a problem.

I'll let you know if I think of anything else.