Sleeping arrangements

[Hja]

Hi. We live in Ontario, Canada where the winters can be quite cold. We currently have 3 Silkie crosses and an Easteregger with a gimpy leg. Our coop is an Omlet Iglu Cube. As our gimpy Easteregger has grown she has developed problems managing getting in and out of the coop. As her quality of life, that aside, remains quite good we are looking for options for overnighting her as our weather gets colder. We would like to just pop her into a dog crate indoors for the night but in the cold weather I wonder if the warm to cold extremes will be detrimental to her. Any thoughts?

 

[RobertaD1]

Yes... I believe it would be detrimental to her. The cold during the day and the warm at night will not allow her to acclimate to the winter. I would probably put as many wind breaks as I could around your coop to eliminate as much draft as possible, and leave her outside. If the ramp to the coop is the issue, you may have to adjust it so its not so steep for her.

 

[B40chick]

Add a heat lamp near the coop might help

 

[RobertaD1]

I wouldnt use a heat lamp... its a fire hazard!

 

[aart]

As our gimpy Easteregger has grown she has developed problems managing getting in and out of the coop.

Can't get up the ramp?
Might need to reduce steepness?
Pics would help here.

 

[Hja]

Yes indeed the ramp is the issue. I think we can manage by lifting her in and out. We also have a heated outdoor mat for her for during the day as she can’t roost and keep her bad leg tucked under her.
mad you can see in the photo changing the ramp isn’t an option. During the summer the coop is on the grass and the run is twice as long but for the winter they are on the deck under the gazebo which can be closed off for further wind blocking.
Thanks for the feedback

 

[aart]

Geez, can she walk at all?
Is ramp hinged?
If so, you could put a block under low end to reduce steepness.

 

[Hja]

Yes, actually she hops along on one leg. She’s not fast but the other girls wait for her most of the time. As I said in my earlier introduction, it’s all about the quality of life. When she reaches the point where she can’t get about or develops any other issues that tip the scales it will be time....

 

[WindingRoad]

Yes indeed the ramp is the issue. I think we can manage by lifting her in and out. We also have a heated outdoor mat for her for during the day as she can’t roost and keep her bad leg tucked under her.
mad you can see in the photo changing the ramp isn’t an option. During the summer the coop is on the grass and the run is twice as long but for the winter they are on the deck under the gazebo which can be closed off for further wind blocking.
Thanks for the feedbackView attachment 2401085

What happened to her leg. Born that way or injury.

 

[Hja]

Apparently born that way. My friend who had her first tried splinting with no luck. We have her now so she can get more care and attention and not be with a large flock where she was vulnerable to being picked on. She is 18 weeks now. I rather suspect that if she grows much more she will lose more mobility and it will be time. In the meantime she scratches around the yard, has her cuddle times ( she adores my daughter )and gets to be a chicken as best as she is able. It will be a sad day when she has her 4:30 vet appointment