How to reintegrate my hen?

[jbfarminglife]

Hello! hope you can help!

So, I had a sick hen just before Christmas... I thought she'd be separated for a few days but she became really unwell.. she weighed less than a kilo and the vet didn't think she'd survive. She wouldn't really eat and we were basically nursing her to health.

Miraculously Norma has beaten the odds to live. She has been living in a cool room in the house, and allowed to wander around the kitchen during the day (beating the dogs up and marching around mostly!). I'm pleased to say she weighs 2.2kg and laid an egg yesterday. It's been too cold to put her back out, we've tried to start reintegrating her but if we bring the other two chickens in or put her out she is being bullied by a bigger hen. I tried putting her with the other small hen and separating the bully, but I'm not sure if this is a solution.

Today I've had her out in a pen outside on her own but I need to get her back with the other two girls (I can't deal with the poop any longer and her snuggling up with the dogs and trying to steal my breakfast is not ideal although very cute!). How do I do this? Free range isn't an option here (and not allowed right now).

Also, while she's doing amazingly well, her poops are still quite watery.... anyone know anything about that? She had antibiotics/has been wormed/ has had biostop/beryls bacteria and plenty of ACV. She's fed layers pellets and a layers mix.

Thanks all

 

[Callender Girl]

First, hurray for you and Norma!

During our delightful polar vortex, one of my hens suddenly began getting bullied and it looked like a bloodbath in the coop. So far, I have had her in a cat carrier inside the coop so that she's not completely separated from the flock but still has time to heal. It's like she's part of the flock. but safer.

As far as house chickens go, it's a long story but I've had one for more than a year and a half. She will NEVER re-integrate, I'm sure. Either I've gotten used to it, or she really is pooping less than she used to -- at least when she's outside her giant dog crate coop. But, I still have to guard any food I'm trying to eat and keep chip and cookie bags closed because she's not above sticking her head inside and choosing her own food. She alternately loves and terrorizes the dog.

Good luck with Norma and the flock, and welcome to BYC! I'm sure others will weigh in on the best way to get your girl back with her friends. IF I were an expert, I would NOT still have a house chicken!

 

[aart]

Today I've had her out in a pen outside on her own

That's a good way to start.
Pics of your coop and run might garner specific solutions.

Here's some tips about basic integration that might help:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

This might help too:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

 

[aart]

Oh, and .... Welcome to BYC! @jbfarminglife
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