Last week one of my hens had a problem with laying an egg. She had blood afterwards and the other hens went after her and by the time I saw it her rear end it was a bloody mess. I cleaned her up and separated her. I just put her back in after a week and today they went after her rear end again. How long can I leave her out of the flock before they won't except her any more? Thanks, Baygirl
If you are seperating her, that is good, but you should keep her where they can see , hear, smell her but not physiclly get to her. That waythey are used to her being around. I would not put her back until she is totally healed and re-feathered if she was missing some. It may never work but this method has worked for me before. Good luck.
It takes about 2 or 3 weeks for a flock to forget a missing hen. So I would keep this bird separate for at least one week. Keep her in low light and only about 8 hours a day of it, so she doesn't lay. You want her to heal before she tries to lay again. Use preparation H on her rear end. Slather it on a few times a day. This will help to reduce the swelling. When she is completely healed back up, you can return her back to the flock. On that day, you might also put her in a cage within the flock, just in case they are startled of her reappearance. She should be ok the following day to put back in the flock. Oh and welcome to BYC!
Thanks!! When I came into the house, my husband said that I needed to put her near them so thanks for the information. He knows nothing about chickens but thought that would help her. I will work on that tomorrow. For tonight she is happy in the barn.
Great idea. I was wondering what I could put on her to help. It looked worse this afternoon than it did when it first happened. I just might keep her in the dog crate in the chicken yard so she is near everyone. Thanks for your help!
She must be completely healed and at least partially refeathered before you attempt to reintroduce her. Even then there will be adjustments - the greater the space the easier the reintroduction.
