Need ideas for separate area for chicken

[workaholic90]

Howdie,

So my beautiful CoHo is one dainty Salmon Favorelle. She has a huge hernia on her belly and for some reason her feet always bleed. She has feathers coming in and I am sure she hits it or something. She is appx. 12 weeks old and has been in incubation for a bit bc she had some injuries. Now she's all better but right away had a wound on her foot. She seems to stay in the nesting box I am thinking bc of the bedding in it. The run we have has lots of rocks and sand. I am thinking it does not feel good on her feet and bc of her hernia she rarely lays down as she tends to stand more often. Today I put her in the run to eat and drink but shortly thereafter she went back into the nesting box. The brooder I had her in for a bit had the same bedding. She isn't laying yet and hasn't done the squat so I don't feel that's why.

Would you suggest some recommendations for me to put something together for her outside in the run where the ground will be better on her feet/belly and maybe she will feel more comfortable but I need her to become more active with the rest of the gals. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I have a huddle box that the other girls go into but she doesn't seem to like it. Maybe there is some sort of soft mat or something, I don't know.

Thanks,

I attached a pic of my girl from about 4 weeks ago! She's so gorgeous, IMO of course.

 

[Eggcessive]

She's pretty. I have a small flock of faverolles apart from my regular flock, and they are sweet and the rooster is docile. The rocks in the run are hard on their feet and you may be treating a lot of bumblefoot in the future. I would try to rake up the rocks and remove them. Then I would add more sand. If you are close to a creek you can get it free. Plant mulch especially, pine mulch would be good. In fall dry leaves and pine needles make good soft bedding. The coop should be cushioned with pine shavings or sand.