I need help re-introducing injured hen

[chickenbuddies]

One of my hens was attacked by a coyote. She has recovered very well, regrown all of her feathers and is laying again, but when I put her back in with the other hens, they all attacked her. I now have to keep her separated. Any suggestions?

 

[Kathy Golla]

How long was she out of the flock?
Are the other hens the same age as her?
How many other hens do you have?
Do you have a rooster?
Before she got injured where was she on the pecking order?

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Would it be possible for you to fence off an area in your coop for her so the other chickens can see her, but not touch her? You could also put her in a dog crate/cage. If you can’t do that, maybe add some things to your run, like boxes or tree stumps, for her to hide behind. Wishing you the best of luck!!

 

[Eggcessive]

If the chicken is out of the flock for less than a week, I find there might be some initial pecking, but that is over pretty quickly. If she has been gone longer, placing her in the coop in a pen or wire dog crate with her own food and water is a good way to reintroduce. After awhile you can have some supervised free ranging just before they normally go to roost. Sometimes it is easy, and sometimes it is not.