I need help managing an angry chicken

[cooki2581]

I have 2 chickens, Black and Red. Black was attacked 2 1/2 weeks ago in their nesting area by a possum in the middle of the night. My fiance heard the commotion and got to the coop in time. We put Black in one of our bathrooms to monitor her and heal (major thanks to the wildlife rescue I volunteer at for looking at her and letting us borrow medicine to put on her). Her injuries are almost completely healed over.

We let both chickens run around the backyard a couple times and Black attacked Red. She puffed out and cornered her once and the second time she kind of stalked her for a minute then attacked again. I don't know what to do to get Black to stop attacking Red. I'm really worried about Black hurting Red because even though Black is smaller, Red is about 3 yrs older and had her beaked cut before we got her. Black has her natural beak.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to get them back together? They were great before this, two peas in a pod. Red was like a mother to Black. When Black was hanging out on a table and it was getting dark, Red would go get her to go to their roost. And Black rarely let Red out of her site.

BTW, the coop if locked up tight now. I'd be surprised if a bug can get in there.

Thank you!
Rachel

 

[MeepBeep]

I'm guessing they are just re-establishing the natural pecking order as it got reset when you separated them....

 

[aart]

I'm guessing they are just re-establishing the natural pecking order as it got reset when you separated them....

Ditto Dat^^

Maybe keep them separated by wire for a week or so, feed some scratch along fence line.
Then try re-introducing physically.

 

[cooki2581]

Should we put them in the coop together but keep one under a cage?

We put Black in front of the coop and put a barrier so she had to see Red for about an hour. And Red stayed right up front so she could see Black the whole time. I think she wants her companion back.

 

[aart]

Should we put them in the coop together but keep one under a cage?

We put Black in front of the coop and put a barrier so she had to see Red for about an hour. And Red stayed right up front so she could see Black the whole time. I think she wants her companion back.

I'd give it some time....a couple days at least before they have physical contact.

 

[cooki2581]

Should we keep putting Black in front her the coop making them see each other?

They love watermelon so we cut a watermelon in half and put the two halves about 2 feet apart hoping they would each eat their own but be close. Red dug into hers but Black wanted nothing to do with it and attached Red (this was the second time we tried to get them together).