Indoor Coop for Chickens with Special Needs

[Weeg]

No tables (other than the kitchen table) or bunk beds or anything. No space that wouldn't seriously inconvenience my family. I'd thought 4 sq ft of coop was enough per chicken and that 10 was enough for run space. I figured 4 hours a day in the coop of about 7 sq ft wasn't bad, esp for chickens with limited mobility. And they're only 3 and 4 weeks old. I thought it'd be ok for a few months at most. But I'm beginning to think that this won't work no matter what I do.

I called the lady and said never mind about her chick, and I may just put Myrtle down because she won't have a good life no matter what I do. I always make things worse when I try to do things like this. It's really rather pathetic.

Thanks anyway, but I'm just going to quit while I'm ahead.

Oh gosh, I'm sorry. That was not where I was going with my comment at all.
I certainly don't think you should put Myrtle down, or turn down the other chick if you want to help. I was just commenting.

Your right, that 4 sq. ft of space is plenty in a coop. For some reason I forgot that they wouldn't be confined to the hutch style coop all day. That my bad. Consider that they will get to run around the house, (remember the darned details Weeg) I definitely think you can make it work. You can always make it work, sometimes it just takes some creativity.

I think you should try. I think you should try to save the other chick as well if you want to. I know that I would.
I don't have any disabled animals currently, but I have tried to save many before. I took in a chick this year, Ebony, with slipped tendon. I tried everything I could, and become very attached to her. Unfortunately she didn't make it. I tried to save a pop eyed blind chick who was already failing to thrive last year, sadly, sweet Rusty didn't make it either. I also tried to save a Silkie chick, a chick attacked by a dog. Plus a few other disabled, or injured critters over this past year. Sadly I lost a lot of them, but I know that if I walked into the feed store tomorrow and saw another disabled chick, or dumped bunny, or failure to thrive baby, I would try again. I would scoop her up in a heartbeat, and even if it broke my heart, I would try. You have to try, because sometimes it worse not trying.
Its exhausting having such a big heart, but it only the best quality in the world to have. I certainly think you can make this work. You care so much for your animals, it might take some creativity, maybe some trial and error, but I think you should certainly try. Why? Because when we finally succeed, it feels so darned good.

With that in mind, I don't have anywhere in the house to put anything that wouldn't inconvenience my family either. My house is tiny, and every nook and cranny that hasn't been used is either to small, or an inconvenience. I totally get that.
I say if they will only use the armoire as a coop, go for it! As long as they get to run around the house and wont be confined to it 24/7, it shouldn't be a problem at all. If you don't think it will work, you could always try to find a trampoline for free, or for cheep. They can be easily turned into chicken runs. Depending on the predators in your area, I don't think most predators would be able to get through the trampoline mat. So get some hardware cloth, and fill in the underneath side, and over the top of the springs. Make a skirt with the hardware cloth as well, and stake it down, and toss some giant rocks on top of it along the edge of the tramp to keep it in place. Then wrap half of it in a tarp for the open air coop affect. If your still concerned about predator proofing, run hot wire around it. If you set it up correctly, you could actually light up chicken wire. You could run a chicken wire fence and light it up to keep a predator away as well.

Do not quit, this is absolutely not where I was going. I know how you feel. Sometimes you get so deep into something, and end up wondering if you should just give-up. Don't. You can make this work, I'm so sorry if I made you think you should quit, that is not what I meant. Always try.
Even if we're not sure we should try, I know knowing myself, if I don't I'm going to regret it. Plus, anything you build is only temporary. Yes, I think it can work. You got this, I know you do.

 

[Weeg]

Oh gosh, I'm sorry. That was not where I was going with my comment at all.
I certainly don't think you should put Myrtle down, or turn down the other chick if you want to help. I was just commenting.

Your right, that 4 sq. ft of space is plenty in a coop. For some reason I forgot that they wouldn't be confined to the hutch style coop all day. That my bad. Consider that they will get to run around the house, (remember the darned details Weeg) I definitely think you can make it work. You can always make it work, sometimes it just takes some creativity.

I think you should try. I think you should try to save the other chick as well if you want to. I know that I would.
I don't have any disabled animals currently, but I have tried to save many before. I took in a chick this year, Ebony, with slipped tendon. I tried everything I could, and become very attached to her. Unfortunately she didn't make it. I tried to save a pop eyed blind chick who was already failing to thrive last year, sadly, sweet Rusty didn't make it either. I also tried to save a Silkie chick, a chick attacked by a dog. Plus a few other disabled, or injured critters over this past year. Sadly I lost a lot of them, but I know that if I walked into the feed store tomorrow and saw another disabled chick, or dumped bunny, or failure to thrive baby, I would try again. I would scoop her up in a heartbeat, and even if it broke my heart, I would try. You have to try, because sometimes it worse not trying.
Its exhausting having such a big heart, but it only the best quality in the world to have. I certainly think you can make this work. You care so much for your animals, it might take some creativity, maybe some trial and error, but I think you should certainly try.

With that in mind, I don't have anywhere in the house to put anything that wouldn't inconvenience my family either. My house is tiny, and every nook and cranny that hasn't been used is either to small, or an inconvenience. I totally get that.
I say if they will only use the armoire as a coop, go for it! As long as they get to run around the house and wont be confined to it 24/7, it shouldn't be a problem at all. If you don't think it will work, you could always try to find a trampoline for free, or for cheep. They can be easily turned into chicken runs. Depending on the predators in your area, I don't think most predators would be able to get through the trampoline mat. So get some hardware cloth, and fill in the underneath side, and over the top of the springs. Make a skirt with the hardware cloth as well, and stake it down, and toss some giant rocks on top of it along the edge of the tramp to keep it in place. Then wrap half of it in a tarp for the open air coop affect. If your still concerned about predator proofing, run hot wire around it. If you set it up correctly, you could actually light up chicken wire. You could run a chicken wire fence and light it up to keep a predator away as well.

Do not quit, this is absolutely not where I was going. I know how you feel. Sometimes you get so deep into something, and end up wondering if you should just quit. Don't. You can make this work, I'm so sorry if I made you think you should, never quit. Always try.
Even if were not sure we should try, I know, knowing myself, if I don't I'm going to regret it. Plus, anything to build is only temporary. Yes, I think it can work. You got this, I know you do.

And I wrote a novel, I'm sorry about that.

 

[Aunt Angus]

And I wrote a novel, I'm sorry about that.

Sorry I freaked out on you. I have had ZERO sleep in the past 48 hours. I am exhausted and emotional. So much is going on, and this is a BIG deal for me and the fam. We LOVE Myrtle. We LOVE LOVE LOVE her.

I'm thinking about getting a prefab for our deck. It's a covered area. It's right next to the house. They would still be able to come in the house.

It's just so much to think about, and as a chronic overthinker, well... it's a recipe for all kinds of bad.

 

[Weeg]

Sorry I freaked out on you. I have had ZERO sleep in the past 48 hours. I am exhausted and emotional. So much is going on, and this is a BIG deal for me and the fam. We LOVE Myrtle. We LOVE LOVE LOVE her.

I'm thinking about getting a prefab for our deck. It's a covered area. It's right next to the house. They would still be able to come in the house.

It's just so much to think about, and as a chronic overthinker, well... it's a recipe for all kinds of bad.

No, its completely fine. I know how you feel. I tend to do it at night while I'm trying to fall asleep. STart to freak out, think I'm doing a bad job, and actually consider quitting. Suddenly all of the little problems start to seem like a huge deal, and I totally freak my self out. Then I get up in the morning, and realize its all going to be fine, I got this. So do you.
You do have a lot going on, its okay to freak out sometimes. Just don't make any rash decisions during the freakout. It's going to be okay, and Myrtle is going to be okay. You're a fantastic chicken owner, you got this.

I think a prefab is a fantastic idea! Look through Fb market place, I usually see prefabs there. Look for rabbit hutches too. Sometimes people are selling prefab chickens coops as rabbit hutches.

 

[Aunt Angus]

No, its completely fine. I know how you feel. I tend to do it at night while I'm trying to fall asleep. STart to freak out, think I'm doing a bad job, and actually consider quitting. Suddenly all of the little problems start to seem like a huge deal, and I totally freak my self out. Then I get up in the morning, and realize its all going to be fine, I got this. So do you.
You do have a lot going on, its okay to freak out sometimes. Just don't make any rash decisions during the freakout. It's going to be okay, and Myrtle is going to be okay. You're a fantastic chicken owner, you got this.

I think a prefab is a fantastic idea! Look through Fb market place, I usually see prefabs there. Look for rabbit hutches too. Sometimes people are selling prefab chickens coops as rabbit hutches.

I have two threads kinda going now on accident. The other one veered to this topic.

But here's what I am looking at. It's 4x5 and built with 1/2 in plywood. I will add a floor w/a cleaning tray, hardware cloth, ventilation, latches, a very low perch, a nesting box, and a run. And I'll paint it. It's superhero themed (cute!), but I'd make it match my barn and other coop.

 

[Weeg]

I have two threads kinda going now on accident. The other one veered to this topic.

But here's what I am looking at. It's 4x5 and built with 1/2 in plywood. I will add a floor w/a cleaning tray, hardware cloth, ventilation, latches, a very low perch, a nesting box, and a run. And I'll paint it. It's superhero themed (cute!), but I'd make it match my barn and other coop.

View attachment 3132494

I love it! What a cool idea! Thats 20 sq. ft of space, so thats enough room for a temporary run for both birds even. Especially for disabled chickens. That will be a spacious coop! I think its adorable, they're your specially little super hero chickens.

 

[NanaK]

I have two threads kinda going now on accident. The other one veered to this topic.

But here's what I am looking at. It's 4x5 and built with 1/2 in plywood. I will add a floor w/a cleaning tray, hardware cloth, ventilation, latches, a very low perch, a nesting box, and a run. And I'll paint it. It's superhero themed (cute!), but I'd make it match my barn and other coop.

That will make a super cute coop!
Just thought I'd mention, I'm thinking about rebuilding an old crib for an indoor brooder/hospital coop. I have several older birds that sometimes need special attention. Just a thought in case you may be interested.
I think you have found the perfect thing for your disabled birds, though! It is just darling!

 

[Aunt Angus]

That will make a super cute coop!
Just thought I'd mention, I'm thinking about rebuilding an old crib for an indoor brooder/hospital coop. I have several older birds that sometimes need special attention. Just a thought in case you may be interested.
I think you have found the perfect thing for your disabled birds, though! It is just darling!

That's a GREAT idea! You'll have to share pics!!!

I don't suppose any of your birds have perosis (or whatever it's called- can't remember the mire current term)? I'm looking to see if birds can survive with it.

 

[NanaK]

That's a GREAT idea! You'll have to share pics!!!

I don't suppose any of your birds have perosis (or whatever it's called- can't remember the mire current term)? I'm looking to see if birds can survive with it.

I have a port-a-crib and a regular crib in the attic of our barn. Both are wooden and from about 1970 so neither would be considered safe by todays standards for human babies. They are in good shape and with some alterations I think it would be fine for chicks or a sick or injured chicken. Just got to find the time to do it. Right now I am in a planting frenzy and it's got HOT! 97* today! Not my kind of weather for sure. Veggies are planted but I have a lot of flowering annuals to set out. I like to grow from seed and well sometimes I get happy with the flower seed and plant too many....is there such a thing as too many flowers or chickens??? I think NOT!

I do not have a hen with perosis but I do have an 8 year old girl with a hip problem. I believe it came from too many romantic rendezvous' with her Roo Elwood. He was an older guy too and passed away a short while back. They had a special bond. She limps bad and was getting picked on by some of my younger hens so she has a private space outside but sometimes I bring her inside if the weather's bad. Her sleeping spot in the coop is down low, she can't climb the ramp anymore. That puts her away from the fan and windows. With it so hot, she slept inside last night and will tonight also. I have a really large plastic container that I've always used but I'm getting older have back problems and arthritis so I thought the crib conversion would be easier on my back. Besides I have about 7 hens that are 7-9 years old and love raising chicks so I know it will be used!

So far as your young one with perosis, I do not know it they can live with it. Regardless of what wrong with them, as long as they can move around a bit, eat, drink and don't seem to be suffering, I try to do what I can. It's hard sometimes and yes, I get very tired. It's just hard to put a bird down that I feel might have a chance. Everyone has to make those decisions for themselves. I do not judge.

I'd love to see what you come up with for your birds!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Regardless of what wrong with them, as long as they can move around a bit, eat, drink and don't seem to be suffering, I try to do what I can. It's hard sometimes and yes, I get very tired. It's just hard to put a bird down that I feel might have a chance. Everyone has to make those decisions for themselves. I do not judge.

This. This is exactly how I feel. If there's a chance, it's worth a shot. But everyone needs to do what they feel is best, and I don't judge (it's hard not to sometimes, though). And - boy howdy - I get tired, too.

Good luck with your project! that'd be a good article for BYC. Just sayin.