How long will they remember an absent flock mate?

[BWchicken]

I've got a recovering hen in the house. She's been in for 4 days now, but she may be inside for a week or ten days total before she can go back out. Since it's a crop issue, I can't let her out even for visits because she can't be allowed to pick at the grass and stuff. So I'm wondering if the flock (10 hens and a rooster) will remember her. Does anyone know how long chickens will still recognize one who's been gone?

 

[ChickenToes]

I'm not sure if they will remember her or not. We had an injured chicken once and she was 'hospitalized' in the brooder in our garage for about a week, week and a half. When we put her back in with the others, they harassed and picked on her. We had to take her out again because they pecked her bloody. She now lives with the ducks.

I'm not saying that's what will happen with yours, but keep an eye on her to make sure they don't start picking on her. If she was pretty high in the pecking order she may be fine when you reintroduce her.

 

[redhen]

Yeah...i dont think they remember them for very long...OR if they DO remember them... they will still have to go through the pecking order thing all over again...
it sucks for them...

 

[BWchicken]

Okay, thanks for the answers. That's what I was afraid of. Someone had told me that they'll remember and accept them back after 2 weeks but from what I've read on here that's not usually the case. She's been inside for a week and I'm gonna try to put her back out in the next day or two when the weather warms again. They HAVE to accept her, I don't have any other place for her to go! I hope it goes ok but I'm pretty worried.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

My experience has been that if a flock mate is gone for more than a couple of days they've got to do the pecking order thing all over again.

.....Alan.