Need help introducing recovering hen back into flock

[KCD]

Last week a fox attacked one of my hens. We were outside when it happened, at about 1pm, and I was able to stop the attack and get her. She was chewed up pretty good and had several deep puncture wounds. Our neighbor is a vet so I took her across the road. The vet cleaned her up and gave her some injections. We kept her in chicken ICU in our laundry room for about 6 days. The vet said she is good to return to the coop so I took her back out.
I only have two hens remaining (my original 6 are now gone due to hawks and natural causes (they were 7)). The two remaining were hatched together and had never been separated until now. They were always together and the outcasts from the rest of the flock. I'm guessing because they came in together just the 2 of them. After the last original hen died, their behavior did not change and there didn't appear to be any changes in the pecking order. Before now, I couldn't tell you who was on top. So, I was not expecting there to be any issues with re-introducing Foxy back outside.
There was an initial stand-off between them and I assumed it was her seeing who this "new" girl was. After that, the uninjured hen immediately began pecking Foxy. Not sure if they are now establishing a pecking order? She was chasing after her all afternoon to the point that Foxy was being knocked down and pecked. She can get away from her, but I'm worried the stress is going to cause her to deteriorate since she's not fully healed yet. Any thoughts? Am I just worrying about her? Both girls in question are year old Australorps. The coop is 5' X 6' with an attached, covered 6' X 12' run.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

If she is not fully healed yet then don’t have her with other hens.
Take her out IMMEDIATELY before she gets pecked to death

 

[leighks]

Can you separate an area of their coop or pen for Foxy, so the other hens can see her but not get to her? If so, I think that would be the next step in the reintroduction. Let everyone get used to seeing each other again before letting them interact, maybe for a few days or a week. Then maybe try again if seeing each other seems to go well. They will have to reestablish pecking order, but hopefully this makes it less dramatic for the recovering hen.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Do not have her with other hens until her wounds have 100% healed.

 

[KCD]

Can you separate an area of their coop or pen for Foxy, so the other hens can see her but not get to her? If so, I think that would be the next step in the reintroduction. Let everyone get used to seeing each other again before letting them interact, maybe for a few days or a week. Then maybe try again if seeing each other seems to go well. They will have to reestablish pecking order, but hopefully this makes it less dramatic for the recovering hen.

I have the crate that we used inside the house. Would that work?

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

I have the crate that we used inside the house. Would that work?

How big is the crate ?

 

[KCD]

She had enough room to stand and lay down and fit bowls of food and water. It's a smaller per travel crate the vet had me keep her in.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC @KCD ...sorry you are having troubles.

She had enough room to stand and lay down and fit bowls of food and water. It's a smaller per travel crate the vet had me keep her in.

Yes, that should work. They need to be able to see each other without being able to touch. Would be good if crate is on coop and/or run 24/7 for at least a few days to a few week so they can get used to each other before allowing physical contact again.
Being that they are 2 single birds, they should want each others company, but it may take bit of time.

Here's some tips that may help....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[aart]

Duplicate thread, with better responses, here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...roducing-injured-hen-back-into-flock.1267185/