after quarantine for a sick hen

[ChickenHillFarm2021]

One of my Rhode Island Reds had a very swollen eye. The vet diagnosed her with infectious coryza. None of my other hens were infected even though they roost in pretty tight quarters. I have been giving her doxycycline twice a day for a week now. Vet says 14 days and keep her isolated so we can medicate her easier and make sure we don't eat the eggs.

Never have I seen a more miserable hen. I have her in an extra large crate so she has room to walk around but she paces all day and pines for the her other 4 sisters.

My questions are --1) if I keep her isolated for 14 days and then -- many more until the doxy is out of her system, will the flock take her back? How should I reintroduce her? 2) Once she is no longer on the doxy is there a way to let her return to the flock but isolate her during laying-- which looks to be pretty impossible since her laying pattern in "captivity" has become a little erratic.

I just feel so badly for this hen. Thanks for the help.

 

[dennisma1]

How is your hen doing? I've never had any issues reintroducing hens after sickness. They always take it in stride.

 

[Myrshine]

Did you get all the pus out of the eye? If not, antibiotics won't clear it up like us humans. Chicken pus hardens and can become like a rock if not manually removed. Also, does she have an awful fishy-like odor from her nares, face or eyes? Or thick, sticky yellow snot?

 

[TheAlrightyGina]

You could put her in a dog crate in the coop/run with water and food. Obviously not long term, but it should help with her pining for her flockmates.