How do I reintroduce injured chicken back into flock?

Mesa

Songster
Nov 21, 2008
369
2
174
New Mexico
Hi, I'm a chicken newbie... I have a problem.
One of my hens was attacked by the neighbors dog (they had been free ranging, but I've now decided to just leave my chickens in their run when I cant supervise them.) last Sunday. I took her to the vet and she will recover, but she will probaly always have a limp. She has nerve damage to her right leg. All of her wounds are healed as far as I can tell. She does have a pretty severe limp still though. I gave her a trial run in the coop and my RIR something or other attacked her. (I'm not sure if it's a he or a she.) So I gathered her back up and put her into a wire crate inside the chicken coop. I am hoping having her around the other 6 chickens again will help the mean RIR accept her again in a few days.
Any suggestions? What should I do? Poor "Chicken lickin" is a sweet girl. I hate to see her get hurt.
My chickens are 2 RIR, 3 Buff Orpingtons, and 2 White Leghorns. All purchased this summer. 1 even started laying eggs 4 days ago!!!!

Jackie
 
Sounds like you're already doing what you can.... they will have to re-establish the pecking order since she left and is now coming back. I'm sure others will have more and better info for you as many have been where you are.
 
When you put her back out just make sure her boo boos (if they aren't all healed) are covered. I had a girl that was attacked by my dog and when I took her out 2 weeks later, they were very picky. I made her a special saddle to wear until her feathers were back in.

They will re-establish their pecking order and go on! I hope she feels better!
 
Thank you for the quick replies. I'm so nervous... I hope she does well with being reintroduced. I'm more like a "chicken mommy" than just a chicken owner. I really love these stupid birds LOL.
 
When you do let her out of the cage, you might want to do that at night while they are roosting. Just put her next to one of the friendlier birds and they will all wake up together. Sometimes that works.
 

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