Thoughts on integrating a blind hen?

[PanchitoChick]

First things first, I am an absolute sucker for any sad or pitiful animal that comes across my local shelter. So that is how I already have five hens lol.

That said, my hens are “paired off” with one odd one out (an extremely sweet, but timid and partially disabled bantam). So today when I saw this hen at the shelter, I wondered if she may be a friend for my disabled hen?

I have some concerns. The main two are bullying and making sure she is getting enough to eat?

Anyway, I’ve included her info below if anyone feels like giving their opinion!

 

[Debbie292d]

I took in a blind hen, and wouldn't you know after about three months, she got her vision back. That tells you what proper nutrition can do. Don't count on that to happen, but just saying that's what happened to us.

Before she could see, she started in a brooder and got used to our voices. We used parakeet feeders hooked to the side of the wooden brooder so she would get used to where food and water was. That took a couple of days.

When we put her out with a tame flock, that's when we started noticing she could see a little bit. She still ran into things, but each day she got better. Finally we put her out in the yard to see for sure, and yup, she was fine.

Wherever you have her, you have to make sure the feeder and waterer always stay in the same spot. If it's a big pen, quarden it off to make it small for her to begin with, then every few days make it larger.

 

[fldiver97]

Thank you for giving her a home!!!! You got some good advice, I would start her in a smaller area to get settled a bit, monitor her, feed and water always in the same spot and see that she eats and drinks. It will also give her time to get used to you. After quarantine I would introduce her to the bantam and see how they get along, hopefully she’ll settle in and live a good long life