Leghorn hen cockscomb and wattles seem to be shriveling up after trauma.

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I would try to get her back with her flock right away, but you probably should gradually reintroduce her inside a wire dog crate with her own food and water. She has been away so long, they will probably attack her. Is it extremely cold outside? The temperature change inside the house might be a problem too. Besides chick feed, all flock feed or Flock Raiser has 20% protein, and can be good for all chickens as long as you put out some crushed oyster shell for the layers.
 
Thank you. I wondered about acclimating her to the outside temperature. I keep my thermostat at 60° in my house, so on a warmer day I should be able to slowly move her over. I thought I would allow her to free range with the flock one day and let her follow them into the coop, but you may be right about the cage and the separate food and water those Leghorns are merciless especially over the feeding dishes. I have to put four feeding dishes so that everyone can eat. The 2 Leghorn hens can't guard all the dishes...🙂
 
My hen is doing better. She is eating and drnking water now. Her Cockscombs still looks very pale but feathers are growing in.
What is the best way to transition her back in with her flock?
 
Linda Dee said:
What is the best way to transition her back in with her flock?
Click to expand...

You could try the simplest method first: put her in and watch her.
If she seems fine, and the others accept her without bullying or picking on her, then you're done!

If she's been inside, and the outside weather is much colder, then you might put her out for a short time each day, gradually working up to longer times, to let her re-adjust to the outdoor temperatures.

If you try putting her back and the other bully her, then it will be a longer project.
It might work to put her in a cage inside the main chicken coop, so she and the others can get re-acquainted while making sure she is still safe. Then after a few days, try letting her out and watching to see how it goes. If that doesn't work, put her back in the safe cage for a few more days and try again.
 
Thank you. I have been raising chickens since March of last year and I've never had to separate one for this long, but I have another hen that is molting.....a Jersey Giant and the other hens don't seem to be bothering her......yet, which is shocking. Usually my other 2 Leghorns seem to pick on everyone.
 

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