How about a new thread for those of us in wheelchairs?

[LadyCedar]

Hope I am posting this in the right place.....I don't suggest this as a form of "segregation", being in a wheelchair, I know I have unique issues with farming, raising chickens, and pretty well everything I do in life.....
So Folks, anyone out there want to talk about how we can live our dreams with our wheels on?
LadyCedar

 

[LadyCedar]

and those who are not in chairs can join in, maybe share their knowledge?

 

[Pinkaboo]

Hope I am posting this in the right place.....I don't suggest this as a form of "segregation", being in a wheelchair, I know I have unique issues with farming, raising chickens, and pretty well everything I do in life.....
So Folks, anyone out there want to talk about how we can live our dreams with our wheels on?
LadyCedar

Good idea I need a chair, but not all the time, I have M.E and have days where I can't walk because of my balance and energy levels
Try to avoid using a chair as I feel defeatist but needs musts, its a chair or stay in bed!

 

[LadyCedar]

Hello Pinkaboo! I soooo understand, I was more mobile about 4+ yrs ago, and I farmed decades ago when I was still able to get around this just canes. Have you done anything different with your coops? May I ask if your health issues have changed anything about the way you do things....mine have! I will share if you would like me to?
LadyCedar

 

[drumstick diva]

I recall reading on BYC about a man that built a special coop for his wheel chair bound wife. I wish I could recall where I saw it. He made a coop that was elevated to proper height so his wife could roll right up to it. I think it may have had a wide sliding door, so she could handle cleaning it without a lot of reaching.

It was such a wonderful thing for him to do for her and permitted her to enjoy her birds close up. There were other improvements he made so she was able to feed & water birds as well as spending time with them.

What a great idea for a thread - people needing walkers, etc. would certainly benefit from an exchange of ideas also, of how to independently care for their flock, or rabbits, or whatever brings them satisfaction and pleasure.

 

[LadyCedar]

TYVM Drumstick Deva!
My thought is "why re-invent the wheel" (pun intended) when there must be tons of knowledge within BYC on how to do it well!
I can see myself using items made for other tasks in a creative way to keep our flock healthy and happy! Without placing myself at risk as well. I really wish you could find that info you mentioned, especially since our coops are not entirely done, and now would be the best time to make any last minute changes.....
LadyCedar

 

[drumstick diva]

You are very welcome

I'm not tech savvy so I don't know how to post links. I did some searches on BYC and didn't come up with much but, I visited the COOPS forum and found threads with some tips and suggestions(among other chicken talk)

"Top tips & ideas for "Dream" coop or barn (handicap accessible)"


"Handicap Coop (2012)"

"Has anyone thought about building handicap accessible coops" (2011)

Things to consider are: pavement , ramp or suitable path so wheelchair doesn't get stuck in mud, chicken poo etc.

Rather than square shaped coops, long, narrow ones so you can reach in for cleaning, feeding etc.

I am wondering if a coop area inside a garage would be good for areas with frequent inclement weather, rather than trying to get a wheelchair through ice and snow. One suggestion was to use one of the smaller scooter type vehicles.

Oh well - not done by any means, I tried googling which didn't do much. I kind of lock in on things (stubbornly) and will keep looking/trying till I find better advice. I will be back.

I'm surprised there isn't more info -ideas available. I'm one of the zillion baby boomers and travel by seniors bus. Most of the ladies (outnumber men greatly)
on the bus, have the assorted problems, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, arthritic conditions. Our township has 4 buses all with wheelchair lifts. I know some builders are dedicated to making accessible housing for the aging population.

You can buy wheelchair accessible cars, vans, RV's if your lottery numbers come up. But what about people trying to survive in this economy? I am going to pick brains in other threads I patronize and ask them to please post here. Surely there must be chickeners who are also architects or smart cookies who can figure out how to repurpose articles to make them easy to use.

Way past my bedtime - I shall return.

 

[LadyCedar]

TY again Drumstick!
To copy something click and drag your cursor over it using the left mouse button, once it is highlighted, right click and select "copy". to paste it put the cursor where you want it to start, right click on your mouse and select "paste".
I really do appreciate your help!
I received an amazing gift on Sunday, which kinda gave me the motivation to start this thread, it was: http://tricamindustries.com/product/gormp-10/
A "wagon" that hauls, the sides come off to make it a "flat deck" it has a liner for hauling: seed, hay, manure, has a really well thought out "dump" feature. Can carry up to 1,200lbs.and here is the icing on the cake (drum roll please?) IT HITCHES UP TO MY ELECTRIC SCOOTER WHEELCHAIR!!!!!!!!!, turns like a dream, and I can dump it all by myself! Happy dance!! Took my Grandson for a spin in it, LOL
Had a sad night as well, we had just picked up 50 day old chicks on Friday, and looks like we are losing 2 of them......

TTYL, have to get my family up and rolling, we have birds to take care of: chicks hens and several Parrots!

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

I an not in a chair but I am disabled. I cant hall feed in an out of the coop an I cant hall bedding in an out ether..

My plan is to build a vacuum system. I am going to run a peace of 3 inch PVC the length of my coop an out the wall. Every section will have a capped T.. To put bedding in I will put the barrel top vacuum in that section an hook it to the T. Back the truck up to the spot the pipe comes out of the wall an hook a vacuum hose to it. Then I just vacuum the bedding out of the truck an then dump the bedding on the floor when the vacuum is full. Cleaning out will be the reverse. The vacuum will be on a barrel in the bed of the truck an the hose will hook to the T... I will make feeders that the vacuum top fits on an then fill the feeders the same way.... The pipe will be at roost height too so it has another use...

 

[drumstick diva]

Thank you Rebel, you always have great ideas.