Help with bullies. Mean roo, flock separated, injuries :(

[mimisus]

We've had our flock for several years, successfully not losing any, nor having any significant issues. Each year we have added to the flock, things have been well, until recently.

One of our original hens was found hiding in a nesting box one night, practically mauled to death. No idea what happened. Separated her to the garage for a couple months, the time it took for her to completely heal, she was a mess. Then moved her, with our sweet one-eyed hen (as a buddy) to our small coop. They are doing well, but each attempt to reintroduce them to the main flock results in the scared hen hiding until forced out, at which point our roo (usually VERY docile) chases and spurs her, pecks her, very vicious. The other hens have come to her defense before I can get to her, to only have one or two then start beating on her!

We tried again last night, removing the roo to the small coop, and putting the two hens in the big coop after dark. Went out early and the one was hiding, as usual, my sweet one-eyed girl was being bullied and actually mounted by a little Welsummer hen! She never gets beaten on! I so sad. I got both of them out of there again.

We also have the 'sister' of the 'mauled' hen, who recently got beaten up too and had a bloodied comb, so SHE's recuperating in the garage now! Our once peaceful flock is scattered and mean! I have NO idea how to reintegrate these girls safely.

Last year, with the increased flock size, 18 hens, 1 roo, we tripled the size of our main coop, so that it can accommodate up to 30, so they have plenty of room. We also built them a huge run that they have access to all day. I have outside water, the coop is open and available to them, with more water and food in it, as well as 5 built in nesting boxes and 2 free-standing boxes, so, plenty of everything.

I can't really identify who's the main aggressor, except for the roo with the one hen. Beyond that I've never been able to catch who's doing the bullying. I hate to rehome.... Is that my only option? And rehoming my one-eyed girl isn't an option, so how can I safely get her back in there?

My DH says the main flock are jealous of the two. Since they are in a very small coop, they get to free-range every day, all day. Right in front of the rest of the flock. I tell him chickens don't think like that. Am I being naive?

Help! Anyone?

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Instead of popping them in the coop and leaving them vulnerable, put them inside a separate enclosure. In the coop. That way the rest of the flock can see them and get used to them, but they can't touch them. Since those hens have been separate for so long, the rest of the flock sees them as intruders, instead of long lost flock members. They are now a threat.
As for the initial fight that started it all, who knows.

 

[aart]

Instead of popping them in the coop and leaving them vulnerable, put them inside a separate enclosure. In the coop. That way the rest of the flock can see them and get used to them, but they can't touch them. Since those hens have been separate for so long, the rest of the flock sees them as intruders, instead of long lost flock members. They are now a threat.
As for the initial fight that started it all, who knows.

Ditto Dat^^^^

Also a flock can sometimes attack and/or kill weak or sick members of the flock in an attempt to drive them away from the flock as it makes them more susceptible to predation....but I think some slower integration techniques as suggested above are in order here.