Winter coop for special needs chicken

[Docdetective]

I am in a very unique situation for this winter. I rescued a chick from my grandparents that couldn’t walk and was starving, and I’ve been taking care of him for the last month. Having no prior chicken experience, it’s been a learning curve! At first he was in a large wire cage on my deck all day and night. Once he started regaining his leg strength he learned how to scoot around and he’s in a outdoor pen in the backyard, which he likes. But neither of these options will work for the winter! My parents have given me a small area in the back yard, an old doghouse, and random pieces of wood to build something out of. I also have some small holed wire. I can buy some supplies, like plywood, but I’d like to keep it at a minimum. I don’t know what I can do to keep it very warm, I’d like him to have some kind of outdoor pen that is still protected from the elements. So I’d love some ideas. Attaching a photo of the doghouse.
Also a heat lamp is an option.
And for the people out there that say I should just put him down, I’m not going to do that unless he’s unhappy. He’s happy right now and very slowly regaining strength SO I’m NOT putting him down yet.

 

[black_cat]

For a heater I'd recommend this:
https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Supplies/Cozy-Coop-Heater-p2406.aspx
Instead of a heat lamp, because heat lamps frequently cause fires and kill chickens, people, houses, etc. If you only have one you should either have him inside as a house chicken, or get him some friends. Are you sure he is male? How large is the doghouse, in feet x feet? Can he roost? Can he fly up to a roost or would he need a ramp?

 

[21hens-incharge]

I second the heat lamp being a fire hazard.

How mobile is the lil guy?

Is having his house in a corner of the garage an option for night?

What state are you in?
Weather will determine what his outside space is like.

 

[Docdetective]

For a heater I'd recommend this:
https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Supplies/Cozy-Coop-Heater-p2406.aspx
Instead of a heat lamp, because heat lamps frequently cause fires and kill chickens, people, houses, etc. If you only have one you should either have him inside as a house chicken, or get him some friends. Are you sure he is male? How large is the doghouse, in feet x feet? Can he roost? Can he fly up to a roost or would he need a ramp?

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.

 

[black_cat]

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.

Do you know the cause of his issues/why he can't walk and such? Can he see and hear? Can he eat and drink on his own? Does he crow? I would recommend getting him a rooster friend instead of a hen friend, because you need probably 4+ hens with a rooster to have a happy flock, and your doghouse only has space for about 3 chickens. How sturdy is it? Does it have any cracks/places that drafts could get through?

 

[Docdetective]

I second the heat lamp being a fire hazard.

How mobile is the lil guy?

Is having his house in a corner of the garage an option for night?

What state are you in?

Weather will determine what his outside space is like.

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.

 

[black_cat]

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.

I think that until he can move around on his own, he should be inside. Can he eat or drink on his own, or find food/know where the food or water are?

 

[Docdetective]

Do you know the cause of his issues/why he can't walk and such? Can he see and hear? Can he eat and drink on his own? Does he crow? I would recommend getting him a rooster friend instead of a hen friend, because you need probably 4+ hens with a rooster to have a happy flock, and your doghouse only has space for about 3 chickens. How sturdy is it? Does it have any cracks/places that drafts could get through?

No I don’t know why he can’t walk. He has no injuries, no Mereks, I have no idea! The chicken I am planning on getting for him is a part silkie roo who is super sweet so that won’t be a problem. The doghouse will need repairs but I can do that.

 

[Docdetective]

And yes, he can eat and drink on his own, and can see fine

 

[black_cat]

No I don’t know why he can’t walk. He has no injuries, no Mereks, I have no idea! The chicken I am planning on getting for him is a part silkie roo who is super sweet so that won’t be a problem. The doghouse will need repairs but I can do that.

It is probably a neurological thing if there is no mareks. You will need to seal the outside drafts. Make sure it has a solid floor so nothing can dig in. Is the door pictured the only access door? It may be hard to clean through that. Silkies don't like to roost either, so a low roost should be sufficient. Make sure to accomodate for the inch or two of bedding when putting in the roost. Maybe add a ramp that he could drag himself up if necessary. Does he try to roost if you give him one?