Beat-Up Hen - Comments/Suggestions Please

[ShelterFarm]

Here's a timeline with some background info:

Started with a happy flock of 8 chickens (5 hens and 3 roos, no "issues" - everyone healthy)

Acquired a large coop along with its flock of 12 chickens (9 hens and 3 roos)

Noticed one of the NEW hens (rhode island red, 1 year old - named her Henny Penny) was badly injured - had been over-mated by a rhode island roo and a silkie - had severe feather loss and evidence of fresh wounds.

Segregated and treated her with fresh food and water in a cage - purchased a saddle to keep wounds covered. Did not let her out of cage much because I didn't have a separate fenced area for her. After about a week she healed up well and feathers started growing out again

Tried to reintroduce her but rhode island and silkie were very aggressive towards her - she would hide behind objects or under the coop.

Segregated her again for a week and in the meantime got rid of the silkies and the rhode island red - now the only roos left are a columbian and two small bantams - 14 hens and 3 roos total. Back to a "happy family" with exception of henny penny...

She is continuing to heal up and her feather growth is coming back - but she is very "off" - she generally doesn't leave the coop and I don't know how much she's eating or drinking. She is no longer wearing the saddle because I know she found it uncomfortable. She gets up and moves around, but I'm concerned about her - I can tell she doesn't like being isolated, but she seems to be having a hard time adjusting back into the environment - she doesn't hide anymore and none of our roos seem to give her much attention.

The first few days in the cage she laid twice, and then stopped laying - last night I think she laid an egg with a very thin shell - was intact but soft as a marshmallow. I'm hoping she's getting on the upswing but am worried about her.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks in advance...

R-

 

[Gofygure]

I think you're doing the best that you can for her. If she associates the coop with pain and fear, it will understandably take time for her to be able to relax there, but she will probably perk up within a week or two. Watch her for signs of dehydration or hunger and maybe sneak her a few nutritious treats once in a while.

At this point, with no visible wounds, putting her back into the company of chickens and letting her readjust is the fastest way to get her back to her normal life.

 

[ShelterFarm]

Thanks for the encouragement - I have chick-sized feeders and waterers - should I put them in the coop during the day so she can get nourishment without going outside? I just don't want her getting "used" to that and never venturing outside - (the food and nipple waterers are less than 10' from the coop).

 

[ShelterFarm]

I had to cull her this morning.

Over the past week or so she had not eaten or drank despite my efforts to help her, and as far as I can tell never left the coop.

This morning I went out to do my morning routine and found that she was unable to stand/move on her own and the other hens were acting cannibalistic towards her. Rather than risk disease for the flock or further suffering for her I culled her.

R-