How long to isolate

[VirginiaW]

I have a hen who got a head laceration 3 days ago, I suspect from a hawk injury. I cleaned the wound and have been spraying it with Veterycin twice daily. She’s currently in a dog crate in a walk in basement, warmer than the 20 degree at night coop. She is perky, eating and drinking and laying eggs. No obvious evidence of infection. How long would you keep an injured hen isolated? I know her flock mates might peck at her injury, so when I do bring her back to the flock, I’m going to watch her carefully

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you place her in a dog crate (with food and water secured to the side) inside the coop with the other chickens while she is recovering?

 

[picklestheduck]

I agree. You might want to keep her WITH the flock but not IN the flock. It could help keep her calmer and you wouldn't have to re-introduce her after her isolation later.

 

[VirginiaW]

I agree. You might want to keep her WITH the flock but not IN the flock. It could help keep her calmer and you wouldn't have to re-introduce her after her isolation later.

I thought about that. The crate wouldn’t fit in the coop so I’d have to put her in the run. The temps at night have been in the 20s (and will be in the teens one night coming up), and I’m worried that she would be too cold in the run by herself without flockmates to roost with.