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MooneyMenagerie

In the Brooder
Dec 17, 2023
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Hi! I’ve been raising chickens for about 8 years, and have read some forums when looking for advice, but finally joined. I have 11 chickens currently. I have 10 that are a pretty happy flock, and one that is disabled, and in a small coop in the larger coop because every time I try and take the next step to integrating her, the flock pecks her. She was part of a smaller flock that got sick when we
We’re away for a few days, and we came home to see we lost 3 and she was not doing well. I nursed her back and she’s doing well except for the fact that she stands and walks…very differently than I’ve ever seen a chicken stand or walk. I’ve done all my usual steps to Introduce her to the flock, but I think bc of her difference, they won’t ever accept her. I’m a bit worried about her being alone, especially as the colder months approach. She did live I. Our basement as we nursed her back to health, however I don’t see that as a permanent solution, as…she stinky. 😆
Anyway, I’m here to hopefully gain some insight on how to best take care of her. She seems pretty happy, eats and drinks and can get around well enough. Her name is Indigo (she’s a blue Egger).
 

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MooneyMenagerie said:
Hi! I’ve been raising chickens for about 8 years, and have read some forums when looking for advice, but finally joined. I have 11 chickens currently. I have 10 that are a pretty happy flock, and one that is disabled, and in a small coop in the larger coop because every time I try and take the next step to integrating her, the flock pecks her. She was part of a smaller flock that got sick when we
We’re away for a few days, and we came home to see we lost 3 and she was not doing well. I nursed her back and she’s doing well except for the fact that she stands and walks…very differently than I’ve ever seen a chicken stand or walk. I’ve done all my usual steps to Introduce her to the flock, but I think bc of her difference, they won’t ever accept her. I’m a bit worried about her being alone, especially as the colder months approach. She did live I. Our basement as we nursed her back to health, however I don’t see that as a permanent solution, as…she stinky. 😆
Anyway, I’m here to hopefully gain some insight on how to best take care of her. She seems pretty happy, eats and drinks and can get around well enough. Her name is Indigo (she’s a blue Egger).
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Hi, welcome to BYC! It's nice to meet you.
I love the intro! I can actually get good information from it! I hope your smelly chicken starts smelling better. Have fun!
 
First off, Indigo is lucky to have someone who cares enough about her to want to help her. Not all chickens that are "different" are that lucky.

She does have a unique stance, but you also said she seems to be a happy girl who is able to do normal chicken things. Despite everything you are told about chickens being flock creatures -- which is true -- some do better and are safer by themselves. If Indigo is cooped within another coop, she still has company, but you are protecting her from bullying.

I don't know how cold your winters are, but Iowa winters can get in negative double digits. I had a Cochin Bantam hen who survived last winter alone in a small coop after her coop mate of many years died. If Indigo's coop is inside another coop that has adequate ventilation and is draft free, she will probably be okay. And, you will probably worry anyway; I did.

Because of circumstances that would take too long to explain, I have had a house chicken for four years. In many ways, it is far from an ideal situation, so I understand not wanting Indigo to live in indoors. Flock integration has proved impossible. Coincidentally, like Indigo, my girl lays blue eggs.

I've also had a few "special" chickens. Does Indigo ever fight back? One of my most fierce girls was the aforementioned Bantam, who died. Sally suffered a stricture wound to a leg that left it totally stiff after surgery. But she learned to fight her own battles, and for years, she hopped like a maniac -- running off anyone who thought she was an easy target.

Welcome to BYC; I hope you find the best possible advice and solutions for Indigo and all of your flock!
 
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Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow

I am so sorry about your girl. :hugs She sure is pretty! :love If she is permanently disabled, she may never be able to be integrated depending on the personalities in your flock. She may always be picked on because she is different. So if you find this is the case, you might try and find one or two of your birds that do get along with her and keep her and them in a separate coop, they can all live a happy life together.

As for her being stinky, she most likely has a medical problem which needs to be addressed, stinking isn't normal. Sounds like she may have an internal yeast infection. You might find a vet you can take her too, you can also start a thread in our Emergency forum for more help... https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/

Good luck with your girl! ❤
 
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.

I agree with @Callender Girl. I think she will be fine in her own enclosure within the larger enclosure surrounded by the other birds. Make sure she has lots of fluffy dry bedding and plenty of ventilation in her coop so that she does not get frostbite from damp moist air and I think she'll be fine.

If any of the birds are kind to her (maybe the heavily worn out white hen in the picture near her?), you might try putting that bird in with her.

Good luck.
 
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