Winter coop for special needs chicken

[21hens-incharge]

He isn’t too mobile. Slowing regaining strength but can’t balance so he can’t stand alone, however he can scoot and go up hills and things. It’s probably pretty impossible for him to be outside but I’d like to see if anyone had any ideas I haven’t thought of. He can be inside as a last resort!!
I’m in California but Northern state so it does snow and drop below freezing quite a bit.

He wouldn't need a huge run. I think for just 2 birds a 4x8 run would work.

A thought I am having is something like my broody house set up....



In early spring I had birds in it and we had late snow. I put a tarp over the run lid and it held up to 16" of snow. The run is just 2' tall so when flipped open I just step over the side.

 

[Docdetective]

Thank you so much! I have an idea what to do with him now. I will start building a little outside run and attach it to the house with a short ramp. It doesn’t need to be as far off the ground as the photo, it’s on boards to make it level. If he isn’t happy once it starts raining I will bring him inside.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thank you so much! I have an idea what to do with him now. I will start building a little outside run and attach it to the house with a short ramp. It doesn’t need to be as far off the ground as the photo, it’s on boards to make it level. If he isn’t happy once it starts raining I will bring him inside.

Since he isn't super mobile be sure to put a cover on his run to keep him from getting soaked.

 

[Docdetective]

Since he isn't super mobile be sure to put a cover on his run to keep him from getting soaked.

Yep I will, probably removable for sunny days.

 

[Jeanw]

I will look into that heater! I was worried about the fire problems. The house is 4x4 feet. I do have a potential friend for him, but since he is so weak still I want to make sure he won’t bully and they are friends before he comes to live. I am sure it’s a he. He can’t roost yet, he sleeps on the ground. Inside is an option, it’s more for him to be outside because he doesn’t particularly like being inside.

My 3 chickens love this heater!!

 

[Docdetective]

Update guys! So my little pullet (found out it’s a girl) has started walking! Yay! We set up the house for her and gave her a small “learning” perch, but she doesn’t use it at night, she has an indent in the shavings she likes to sit in. All we have around the house is an x pen for now but we are going to make a larger inclosure soon! She seems to be doing well with the cold, granted we are only getting down into the 40s at night but she isn’t losing weight.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Looks like a little cockerel to me.

That beak can cause issues.
That is called cross beak and makes eating challenging. Be sure to keep an eye on the birds weight.

I give my cross beaked bird wet mash every day so she can eat. It would be a good idea for you to do that as well. Mix just a few tablespoons of the regular feed with some hot water, let it sit a few minutes to absorb it. You want it to be the consistency of cooked oatmeal. It will be easier for him to eat it than the crumbles or pellets.

 

[Docdetective]

Looks like a little cockerel to me.

That beak can cause issues.
That is called cross beak and makes eating challenging. Be sure to keep an eye on the birds weight.

I give my cross beaked bird wet mash every day so she can eat. It would be a goid idea for you to do that as well. Mix just a few tablespoons of the regular feed with some hot water, let it sit a few minutes to absorb it. You want it to be the consistency of cooked oatmeal. It will be easier for him to eat it than the crumbles or pellets.

I know, that’s why I have her(or him) She was starving at my grandparents and her muscles weren’t getting enough nutrition, I think, that’s why she wasn’t able to walk. When I brought her home I did research and found out about mash. She didn’t know how to eat it though, so I was feeding her cream of wheat with an eye dropper just to keep her alive for the first day or two. But she quickly learned how to scoop and I trim it on a regular basis, too. When I got her, she only weighed 7oz, and she was ten weeks old. Today she weighs 2 pounds, 2oz!