Re-introducing injured hen to flock

[Eggstravert]

I had a hen that got mauled by a predator and barely made it. I had her isolated from the main flock for 6 weeks while she mended. This week she hopped out of her pen and was over near the divider to the main coop so I figured she was ready to return (probably lonely all alone). But I get the feeling she is not being welcomed back into the fold, the rooster had jumped on her a couple times (though maybe he's just trying to mate? it seems like he's targeting her though). She also seems to be isolated from the others most of the time, during the day their door is open so they can go outside but it's cold and snowy so they stay mostly inside, but the last few times I've checked in she is outside roosting on top of a half-wall, she even slept outside last night. What's going on here? What is the chicken psychology? Anyway to ease her transition?

 

[Mrs. K]

She is a total stranger to the original flock from their point of view, she is now attempting to eat their food, and take up their space. Chickens are quite territorial, and do not remember members after even a few days separation.

If she is not bleeding, I would leave her as is. At night, put her in the coop on the roost. If she is laying, it should only take a few weeks and she will be accepted back in.

If there is blood, re-separate her, but so that she can be seen by the flock, and the flock can see her... feed along the fence line. Or/and add just a single hen to her. They will scuffle a bit, but it is one on one, not one against the flock, then when they have gotten along, add the pair back, by then things should go well.

 

[Eggstravert]

She is a total stranger to the original flock from their point of view, she is now attempting to eat their food, and take up their space. Chickens are quite territorial, and do not remember members after even a few days separation.

If she is not bleeding, I would leave her as is. At night, put her in the coop on the roost. If she is laying, it should only take a few weeks and she will be accepted back in.

If there is blood, re-separate her, but so that she can be seen by the flock, and the flock can see her... feed along the fence line. Or/and add just a single hen to her. They will scuffle a bit, but it is one on one, not one against the flock, then when they have gotten along, add the pair back, by then things should go well.

Thanks Mrs. K, I just feel bad for her because she's been through so much already and now her flock is rejecting her, poor thing. They don't seem to be attacking her or picking at her (at least no blood yet) so I'm hoping it will be ok but the issue is that the coop has an auto-door that opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. She is sleeping just outside the coop in a little area in the woodshed. It's protected from the wind mostly but it's not as cozy as the barn where the coop is, hopefully she'll be OK and the others will get used to her...it doesn't help that she's smaller than the others and they're more agressive.

 

[aart]

So her convalescence happened in a pen close to the main coop?
Could they all see each other during that time?
Maybe put her back in there with one other more mellow flock member?

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

As well as the...
....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