Re-introducing a chicken to old flock

[new chick 203]

wow, this is like a scary game of chess.

 

[Bird Collector]

I will be facing the same situation as soon as the weather breaks. I had a sick silkie who has been in the house 4 weeks. Because she was lonely I got two 8 week old bantams that she could raise. Perked Willow right up. I will be splitting the out door run so willow and her babies can play and be introduced to the flock again in a safe way. each night I will be putting Willow and the babies in the sleep coop to get use to it. Then when the babbies get big enough I will mix them all. I have always introduced new chickens by placing them in the sleep coop at night and there is a pecking order which has gone well. I think it is different when they sence a chicken is sick/weak and will target them more. Once i do reintroduce I spend many hours outside with them for safety. Good luck.

 

[sourland]

When she has completely regained her health, remove the most dominant hen and reintroduce her to the flock. Monitor the interaction and remove anyone who appears to be besting her. Once things calm down- days not hours, reintroduce the more dominant birds one at a time. Hopefullly the pecking order shake up will help her regain her place.

 

[ScotianChick]

I put mine back in with essentially no incidence. I learned my lesson the hard way after the hens and rooster all chased around one girl I took out for a bit. My BeBe was sick as usual and I had her in for a week to feed her up. Afterward I waited until night and I put BeBe on the roost between the wall and my rooster. The rooster is good and just snuggles on the roost, he doesn't peck of fuss and stay quite still. The next morning BeBe came out with all the others and ate with them as if nothing had happened. She's still the bottom of the pecking order but she's okay.