Hen that was injured and healed and now has issues

[dogdocsteyn]

I have a 1 yr old Barred Rock who fell off her roost and hit her head. She only had superficial wounds which I have treated and healed but the other hens were pecking at her in the beginning. I had removed her from the flock to heal up her head/comb and now that I have put her back, the other hens are constantly picking on her, bullying her and making her completely submissive. She will not eat or drink unless she is sitting in my lap (being protected) and will stay in a high place to get away from everyone until I come in. When I sit down on my bench she climbs into my lap and wants food and water. I do not think she is broody (at least isn't acting like a normal broody - isn't in a nest box, isn't sitting on any of the eggs, etc) but she is definitely not right. Is there a way to re-introduce to her to the flock, prevent the flock from terrorizing her, get her to eat and drink without being cuddled????? My husband thinks I have successfully ruined yet another farm animal and turned them into a lap pet (like my 300lb suffolk ram who lays next to me and tries to roll into my lap). Help!

 

[tnapier6]

I'll be interested to read the suggestions you get. I can't STAND to watch them peck at one hen all the time. I always jump in and rescue them, too, when I've had all I can watch.

 

[dogdocsteyn]

Hadn't heard anything! I guess people experience this all over. I am really getting worried because this hen seems to have turned into a lap hen and really won't do anything unless I am around. Maybe I need chicken diapers and to turn her into a house hen!

 

[feathersnuggles]

Provide a 2nd feeder & waterer, at least temporarily, until your hen is fully integrated. That will give her another spot to eat & drink, when everyone else is at the 1st one.

You should intervene whenever she's being brutalized...however, if you can just provide another eating & drinking spot, that should at least help her get her essentials.

If, after you try this, she's STILL being brutalized, then remove the most aggressive hen for a couple days isolation -- with food/water and protection from predators & the elements, but don't let her see the flock. When she is put back, her stress level will be focused on "where am I, now, in the pecking order?" and she'll probably not be interested in attacking the target hen.

Another way, is give them lots of extra room, with plenty of waterers (and feeders) around. Free-ranging is a great introducing strategy.

 

[dogdocsteyn]

I do have multiple feeders/waterers and that isn't helping but I haven't isolated the attacking hen. I will do this today and see if that helps. It seems like my little victim is afraid of everyone, even if they aren't paying her any attention.