How to keep a lone chicken warm during cold winters?

[stellasstar]

Hello BYC!

I have a sick chicken that I am quarantining (she might have Merek's) but winter is approaching fast. I found her shivering pretty badly when it was only 60 degrees and in the middle of the day so I know she will not do well when it gets colder. I live in Arkansas so I am expecting chills as cold as 20 degrees.

She can not be kept with the other hens due to exposure and bullying. She will have no others to help keep her warm.

I was thinking of using a heat pad of sorts but I've read that adding a heat source can do more harm than good. Would that be the best bet in her scenario?

Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. I love this girl and I don't want her to suffer through the winter. Keeping her inside is not currently an option as we don't have the space she would need to be fully comfortable.

Thank you so much!!

Stella

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

If she is in her own space can you provide her with deep bedding to keep her warm?

 

[stellasstar]

If she is in her own space can you provide her with deep bedding to keep her warm?

Thank you for your help! Yes, she is in a smaller coop so she has her own space. It is not a lot of space though, and she struggles getting up into the nesting box to roost. She has been sleeping on the ground lately which I know is not good for winter. What bedding would you recommend?

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

It is not a lot of space though, and she struggles getting up into the nesting box to roost.

Can you lower the nest box or make a ladder up to the current one? Do you have a picture?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Since she is ill she may need the added heat, if you can run an electrical cord to where she's at. A radiant heater / heat plate would probably be the best option to provide steady heat.

 

[Aunt Angus]

When I have ailing chickens , I give them a heating pad (one workout auto shutoff). Deep bedding will work or radiant heaters, too.

 

[stellasstar]

Can you lower the nest box or make a ladder up to the current one? Do you have a picture?

This is what she is in right now. https://www.amazon.com/Merax-Chicken-Wooden-Animals-Nesting/dp/B017LTC26C It is what we used when they were chicks. She seems to have trouble walking up the ramp due to weak legs, maybe caused by Merek's?

 

[stellasstar]

When I have ailing chickens , I give them a heating pad (one workout auto shutoff). Deep bedding will work or radiant heaters, too.

That's wonderful to hear, thank you! If you don't mind, which one do you use? There are so many to choose from online, haha.

 

[stellasstar]

Since she is ill she may need the added heat, if you can run an electrical cord to where she's at. A radiant heater / heat plate would probably be the best option to provide steady heat.

Thank you so much for the help! Yes, I will be able to run a power cord to her coop, if not I can move it to a better location. Do you recommend any specific heaters?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I'm sorry about your girl. Good luck with her this winter!