help handling pecking order issues

[robomb]

i had a 1-year old BO go broody for a few weeks, and i separated her from the flock so she wouldn't hog the nest box. she was in a dog crate that was near the nest box, but apparently the other 6 girls forgot about her. i tried to re-integrate her in the flock, and they are absolutely merciless to her (3 SLW, 2 PBR, 1 NHR). they (mostly one of the SLW's) won't let her near food or water. poor girl stays in a corner of the run with her head near the fence and her back toward the flock. i separate her at night and have her in one section of the run (put up a temporary barrier) thinking that it would take a little time, and that i can hopefully get them back together safely. it is going on 2 weeks, and no acceptance in sight. HELP!! what do i do?

 

[sourland]

Remove the most aggressive hen/hens and provide food and water in multiple locations for the flock. Do not reintegrate the aggressors until flock dynamics have been resolved. It will be a matter of days or weeks - not hours.

 

[robomb]

thank you - i will set that up this evening when i get home from work. should i give the aggressors a separate temporary roost (and nest box)? can't imagine letting them all back in the coop together yet is a good idea. since it has already been over 2 weeks, i guess i wasn't expecting anything to happen quickly.