My chicken has a swollen infected toe

[Shari S]

Thank you very much!! I appreciate the encouragement. Now the next problem, lol!! Everything you have told me has helped tremendously.
I have put the girl with the bad toe in with the girl that has been pecked on her comb. They get along really good, but I am going on a trip for 3 days in one month. I have that one month to integrate these 2 little hens with the rest of the flock. I plan on starting this in a couple of days. If there is a bully I plan on separating the bully for a couple of days and then put her back. Is that the correct way to do it?

 

[azygous]

The best way to reintegrate these two is to place them inside a protective enclosure inside the run. This way, the two hens can become reacquainted with the flock and feel safe. It will reduce the chance that they will need to respond to challenges from the others. On the flip side, the others will find less reason to challenge the two returning to the flock.

I explain this principle in two articles you might find interesting and you can also maybe get some understanding of the psychology of chickens.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

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

 

[Shari S]

The best way to reintegrate these two is to place them inside a protective enclosure inside the run. This way, the two hens can become reacquainted with the flock and feel safe. It will reduce the chance that they will need to respond to challenges from the others. On the flip side, the others will find less reason to challenge the two returning to the flock.

I explain this principle in two articles you might find interesting and you can also maybe get some understanding of the psychology of chickens.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

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

Awesome!! Thank you for all of your help! You have been amazing!!

 

[Shari S]

The best way to reintegrate these two is to place them inside a protective enclosure inside the run. This way, the two hens can become reacquainted with the flock and feel safe. It will reduce the chance that they will need to respond to challenges from the others. On the flip side, the others will find less reason to challenge the two returning to the flock.

I explain this principle in two articles you might find interesting and you can also maybe get some understanding of the psychology of chickens.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

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

I have put these 2 hens in cage within the run for a couple of days now. Today I let the one with the toe problem out with the flock for just a little while. I thought she would be timid but she has been aggressive toward them and standing her ground! I was so surprised, It's the funniest thing I ever seen.

 

[azygous]

This is the result of being kept safe from the aggression of the other chickens. The timid develop self confidence. It's much more desirable and easier than trying to get a bully to back off.

 

[Shari S]

This is the result of being kept safe from the aggression of the other chickens. The timid develop self confidence. It's much more desirable and easier than trying to get a bully to back off.

It is definitely working!
She's the bully now lol!

 

[Shari S]

It is definitely working!
She's the bully now lol!

I have put them on the roost tonight with the flock. I will monitor in them morning and put them back in their safe area if need be.