Isolation cage advice needed!

[sophiesflock]

[/IMG]Hi,
Today I built an cage for one of my EEs to go in because she has a hurt leg (not sure what from, doesn't seem to be bumble foot) and needs somewhere to recover. She also has been picked on a lot by a bully chicken and needs some time to regain her feathers. I was wondering about how long you think she'd need to stay there for, if she should stay there all the time and should I put something in there to be a nesting box? As you can see in the picture, there was a blue box but she kept hopping onto it and slipping so I took it out- didn't want any further leg damage. It's fairly large for a cage, maybe 6 or 7 square feet and I've put a little roost a few inches off the ground, but should she sleep there? It's in the run and I'm not worried about predators but I dont want her to be lonely at night. Also, should I keep her in there when the others get let into my backyard to forage? I assume it's best to keep her in there till her leg heals. She's pretty upset about being in there and keeps pecking to get out so I feel bad keeping her in there for months. Thanks!

 

[Howard E]

What is the size and status of the coop?

I ask, as once upon a time when coops were bigger than they are now, it was not uncommon to have a broody box placed inside the coop itself. Basically, a small cage of the type you show, but at roost level and off to one side. It kept them away from the nests and also isolated them from the rest of the flock, except at night, when they were essentially side by side.

 

[aart]

She should be ok in there...how long will it take to heal up? only time will tell.
Have a had a few birds with gimpy legs, it can take weeks until they stop limping totally.
Depending on their ability to navigate easily, I have isolated a couple to force resting the leg.
I usually keep them in there over night and most the next day, letting them out to see if there's any improvement then deciding if they need more rest.

The picking on issues are a whole nother story.....knowing more about your coop size and the flock dynamic would be needed to offer a solution.

 

[sophiesflock]

...

What is the size and status of the coop?

I ask, as once upon a time when coops were bigger than they are now, it was not uncommon to have a broody box placed inside the coop itself. Basically, a small cage of the type you show, but at roost level and off to one side. It kept them away from the nests and also isolated them from the rest of the flock, except at night, when they were essentially side by side.
[/quote

The coop is 24 square feet, which seems big enough for them as they only really go in there at night. I want her to be with the other chickens and in the fresh air during the day which is why I didn't place it in the coop . At night though gh she looks pretty sad there by herself, but I don't want her hopping around on the roosts and reinjuring her leg

 

[sophiesflock]

She should be ok in there...how long will it take to heal up? only time will tell.
Have a had a few birds with gimpy legs, it can take weeks until they stop limping totally.
Depending on their ability to navigate easily, I have isolated a couple to force resting the leg.
I usually keep them in there over night and most the next day, letting them out to see if there's any improvement then deciding if they need more rest.

The picking on issues are a whole nother story.....knowing more about your coop size and the flock dynamic would be needed to offer a solution.

Well some new feathers are starting to come in in her back already, so I want to leave her there for as long as it takes for them to come in, and until her leg heals. She hasn't laid an egg at all in there... Should I be concerned about that? Is it just because of stress?