OK, so she in on the road to recovery...now what?

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Pootersmama

Pootersmama

Chirping
12 Years
Jun 1, 2010
48
0
85
New Jersey
So I have a silkie with wry neck, she is on the road to recovery, eating and drinking well, head straighter. She has been seperated from the flock for days now. I want to put her back in the yard for some time on the ground, you know to be a chicken. The others peck at her and the silkie rooster (her best bud) jumps on her and pulls at feathers. How can I get her back without them hurting her? Is that normal for a flock with a sick chicken?
 
You could have her in a seperate pen so they see her and can't hurt her. It is normal for the flock to attack the weak. Chickens have very short little memories so they are treating her as if she is a newbie because to them she is. I would wait until she is 100 percent and then add her to the flock at night and have lots of morning treats. They will have forgotten she is new when they wake up with her and by the time they have eaten the treats she will be normal to have around. They still have to establish pecking order and that is ever changing.
Caroline
 
I would find a kind friend and ad it to her space... (do not ad her to general population without establishing a friend for her)... You may then ad another friend after a few days and then once you have a couple friends bonded... reintroduce the group... They will defend their new friend.
 
I personally would keep her separated for awhile longer. I would keep giving her the meds for a week after she looks more normal, as stopping too soon can cause it to reoccur. Stress can aggravate the wry neck, causing setbacks. After she has been well for at lest 2 weeks, then I would place a cage in the pen, big enough for her and a friend. let them bond again, as it is easier to reintroduce 2 than 1. Best Wishes.
 
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She is so lonley looking. She is on the deck, see below. I have a small back yard, see below. Is she OK not doing the chicken things....scratching, digging, dirt bathing? I took her to the garden this morning and supervised the visit, it went well until they all discovered a garden treat, then the others pecked at her. The silkie rooster is also very aggressive towards her all the time now, I am beginning to wonder if that is not part of her problem - I think he may have to go. If I have to get rid of the roo (does anyone want him) should I get a female silkie for Peaches to have a friend?)


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I am glad that she is doing better. I would not put her in the general population yet either. I don't know why they will not accept her back yet, but you are right to keep a close watch. Let her recover completely, she may need more time. I might put the most docile hen you have in with her for some company but keep supervising even that.

When she is feeling better, maybe let her sleep in a small crate in the coop with the others or put her in a cage where the others can interact with her socially but not physically. Looks like she has a pretty sweet set up with you....she may not want to go back.......
big_smile.png
 
We have moved her to a pen in the yard, she is much happier. Her head is straighter when she is in the ground. She still stresses and her head goes under, but she is looking better day by day. She does get into the yard with supervision.
 

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