How To Make A DIY Chicken Wheelchair

Thankfully I’ve never had to contend with any disabled birds, but I give props to those folks that put the time and energy into caring and supporting special needs chickens. One such keeper is Danyele, who graciously accepted my request to write a step-by-step post about how to make a poultry wheelchair. For some, they may have a permanently disabled house chicken, while others may require mobility supportive during convalescence from an injury or illness. Regardless of the reason, keep this one bookmarked in case you ever need to build one.

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Materials

• 1 – 10’ piece of schedule 40 ½” PVC pipe for:8 leg (height) pieces, 2 width pieces, 2 length pieces
• 4 – ½” 90 degree elbows
• 4 – ½” T-connectors
• Measuring Tape
• Small tooth saw
• Rubber Mallet
• Towel or other soft fabric that is not very stretchy
• 6 Bulldog Clips
• Marker, pencil
• Scissors

Step 1

Measure the Width of your bird’s chest (pictured example: 5½”), the Height from floor to mid-wing (example: 9”), body Length of your chicken (example: 12½”) and the distance from the floor to mid crop.

Add at least 6” to the total Width (example 5½” + 6” = 11½”) to give them room to move plus 1” for where the Chest and Rear PVC pieces will go into the connecting parts.

Add 7” to the Length (example 12½” + 7” = 19½) to allow for back and forth movement and so they can eat and drink on the inside of the wheelchair. You can add 10”- 12” to allow for bowls if you want them to eat on the outside area of the wheelchair (example 12½” + 10” = 22½”).

The height of the chair legs are to give your chicken room to stand if it wants to. If you wish to have your chicken be in a deeper sling you can measure the Height from floor to their back instead of the wing. The crop distance is for assisting in the height of the Chest and corresponding Rear piece. (example 4” (crop height) – ½” = 3½” allowing for the bottom half of the “Leg” of the wheelchair.) (5” – ½” = 4½” for the top half of the “Leg”)

Step 2

Mark your lengths and cut out each piece individually: 2 Width pieces, 2 Length pieces, 8 Height (Leg) pieces (4 top of Leg, 4 bottom of leg)

To keep track of your pieces you can put letters on them (i.e. Width A, Length B, and Height C and D) after cutting them.

Step 3

1. Gently tap the bottom of the Leg into the T connector, then tap the top of the Leg into the other side of the T

• Tap the Chest and Rear Width pieces into two of the Legs open T connector areas. This will help to centre the Ts when you put the final pieces together

• Tap the Elbows onto the Length pieces. Make sure the elbow on each end is facing the same direction.

• Tap each elbow onto the top of the Leg pieces. Ensure that the Width pieces you tapped into two of the Legs are tapped into each end of the same Length piece. Lay the piece down, with the Width piece attached, flat on your work surface. The Width pieces should both be turned so they are facing straight up from Length piece.

• Lay the Chest and Rear piece on its side. Line up the Ts on the other piece and fit the Chest and Rear piece into the Ts. Tap the two sides together.

• You can refine the angle of everything once you get the chair together by gently laying whatever side you are straightening on the work surface and gently tapping the opposite side.

Step 4

1.   Sling fabric should cover the length of your chair and needs to be wide enough to go over the sides to allow your chicken to stand after you have cut holes big enough for each leg. If the fabric rubs the feathers on your chicken’s legs, try a new fabric or a new style of sling. You can purchase or sew slings; this is a base model to help your chicken in its time of need. Clip the sides where you think it will need to be.

• Use your chicken to judge where the leg holes should be placed so that you can cut a poop hole in the back and they can eat comfortably in the front. Adjust the sling carefully and equally to keep the leg holes centered. Their feet should be able to sit flat on the floor if they were standing while in the chair. Allow for a little bending of the legs when they relax, but they are still supported by the sling. If they are missing legs, put a pillow under them so they can sit upright and have a soft place to rest.

•   Mark the spot for the poop hole while your chicken is in the sling so you can accurately judge where it will need to be. It is usually at least a few inches in diameter depending on the size of you chicken. A bantam chicken will only need a couple inches. You can then place a rag underneath that you can dump and wash out at the end of each day.

Step 5

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• Do not leave your chicken in a wheelchair 24/7. They should have a rest period overnight to keep proper circulation in the legs.

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Many thanks to Danyle Bekkela for sharing her expertise and photos to help chicken owners deal with their mobility challenged birds. Featured photo credit: WKMG News 6