Re-introducing an injured hen

[Cleech97]

One of our barred rocks injured her foot. We separated her so she could heal because the other chickens were beating up on her. She is all healed now and we are trying to introduce her back to the flock. we left them free range in the backyard one day and when we came back her come was all bloody as the other chickens appeared to have been picking on her all day. Is there anyway I can get the other chickens to stop pecking at her and picking on her all the time as she appears to be at the bottom of the pecking order now. In the evening if we go outdide she will jump up on us to try to come into the garage. My hens are about 4 to 5 years old.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

How many hens do you have? Oh could put some peck no more on her, ( look it up )

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

You need to do a look-no-touch intergration. They will peck because she is now at the bottom of the order.

 

[aart]

'No pick' lotions are not likely to be of any help here.

You need to do a look-no-touch intergration. They will peck because she is now at the bottom of the order.

Yes, this is the problem^^^


Some tips and links that might help....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Cleech97]

How many hens do you have? Oh could put some peck no more on her, ( look it up )

 

[Cleech97]

5 chickens, i will look up the no peck lotion, didnt know that existed!

 

[Cleech97]

You need to do a look-no-touch intergration. They will peck because she is now at the bottom of the order.

 

[Cleech97]

Thank you, we have pretty much been doing that during the day, seems to betting a tad better, I feel bad because they won't let her eat.

 

[Cleech97]

'No pick' lotions are not likely to be of any help here.


Yes, this is the problem^^^


Some tips and links that might help....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Cleech97]

Thank you!