Looking for coop ideas for crippled hen

[LtDanFan]

So, i have a crippled hen, margaret hatcher, that i took in because she was not thriving in her previous flock. Former keepers were unable to provide flat roosting bars or platforms for her, and i am a sucker. She only had the option of a round pegged ladder or a floor and i was told that she roosted in a corner of the coop on the floor (probably because with only rounded appendages she could not grip a round bar). Due to what i presume is frostbite, she is missing the distal most digits of her toes on one leg and her entire foot on the other leg. She is wonderful, social, interactive and eats like a champ and since i’ve gotten her has even developed a red tinge to her comb (was pale when she came to me). Not sure if she’s laying but she is not vocal like the other ladies. Doesn’t matter. Shes here to stay.
The issue at hand is that we are having to build a new coop because the pre-fab one we purchased for 2-4 hens has not held up to the 15 birds that regularly cram themselves into it each night. (They like to lay in the other larger pre-fab coop but sleep in the smaller one). Chicken math is all about multiplying, yall. So i want to include a roosting place for sweet peggy (aforementioned margaret) and make sure the others have what they need.
I am thinking of incorporating platforms for peggy and of course it will have a ramp inside for her to make her way up to the top if she wants to.
I’m looking for suggestions of material i can put on the platforms or ways i can modify the roosting bars so that my gal can be comfy at night or whenever she wishes but i can still keep it clean.
Thank you!!

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I'm not sure how you can modify the roosting bars for her so I would stick to platforms personally. I would build it out of wood and then place something on top of it. For the something on top of it, I'd use the same material as the nesting boxes that you can easily remove/clean. This can straw, pine shaving, I use turf squares. Putting a small boarder up could help keep the material on the platform so she doesn't kick it off.

 

[LtDanFan]

I'm not sure how you can modify the roosting bars for her so I would stick to platforms personally. I would build it out of wood and then place something on top of it. For the something on top of it, I'd use the same material as the nesting boxes that you can easily remove/clean. This can straw, pine shaving, I use turf squares. Putting a small boarder up could help keep the material on the platform so she doesn't kick it off.

That’s what i was thinking. Maybe vinyl from the remnants section of my home improvement store plus replaceable nest pads and plan on changing them often, I can have him put a platform that just combines with over/into the roosting space. Just didn’t know if there was another way to do this as i didn’t want to re-invent the wheel if i didn't have to, but ill invent a wheel if i have to.

 

[Helping No-Tail-A]

So, i have a crippled hen, margaret hatcher, that i took in because she was not thriving in her previous flock. Former keepers were unable to provide flat roosting bars or platforms for her, and i am a sucker. She only had the option of a round pegged ladder or a floor and i was told that she roosted in a corner of the coop on the floor (probably because with only rounded appendages she could not grip a round bar). Due to what i presume is frostbite, she is missing the distal most digits of her toes on one leg and her entire foot on the other leg. She is wonderful, social, interactive and eats like a champ and since i’ve gotten her has even developed a red tinge to her comb (was pale when she came to me). Not sure if she’s laying but she is not vocal like the other ladies. Doesn’t matter. Shes here to stay.
The issue at hand is that we are having to build a new coop because the pre-fab one we purchased for 2-4 hens has not held up to the 15 birds that regularly cram themselves into it each night. (They like to lay in the other larger pre-fab coop but sleep in the smaller one). Chicken math is all about multiplying, yall. So i want to include a roosting place for sweet peggy (aforementioned margaret) and make sure the others have what they need.
I am thinking of incorporating platforms for peggy and of course it will have a ramp inside for her to make her way up to the top if she wants to.
I’m looking for suggestions of material i can put on the platforms or ways i can modify the roosting bars so that my gal can be comfy at night or whenever she wishes but i can still keep it clean.
Thank you!!

hey! Can you post a pic of her feet?

 

[FarmerGirl101]

That’s what i was thinking. Maybe vinyl from the remnants section of my home improvement store plus replaceable nest pads and plan on changing them often, I can have him put a platform that just combines with over/into the roosting space. Just didn’t know if there was another way to do this as i didn’t want to re-invent the wheel if i didn't have to, but ill invent a wheel if i have to.

That sounds good. I would honestly look into turf squares. They are easily washable and will save you some money as you won't have to constantly replace them as they'll get dirty often.