Reintegrating a chicken after attack

[RBGChicks]

We have 10 birds. One was recently attacked by at least two other chickens - they drew arterial blood. We have several chickens of the same breed, so while we know which two breeds attacked her we can't quite pinpoint the actual attackers (suspect pool: 5 potential attackers). We separated the attacked chicken from the flock so she could heal (in a large cage in a separate shed). She seemed ok this morning, so we sprayed some goo (forget the name but intended to cover animal wounds) on her and let her into the yard and she was almost immediately reattacked. Now we have her out in her cage right next to the coop - our chickens typically free range so are in and out of the coop all day. So she is visible to but protected from the other chickens.

What are the best ways to reintegrate her into the flock?
How do we deal with attack chickens, if at all, particularly when we are not certain which chickens did the attacking?

 

[Welshies]

Use the "look don't touch" method when integrating her. A search on BYC will bring the article up

 

[Mrs. K]

How old are your birds? How many do you have in what size coop? Often times what was enough space for chicks, is NOT enough space for full grown chickens. Some breeds can tolerate close confinement more easily, some cannot.

It sounds like the hen was attacked originally by the flock, unless you have changed the coop/run set up, they will attack again. I would imagine that there is quite a bit of tension in your flock. If pulling the victim out, let the tension in the flock reduce, that is a better number for your set up.

Some birds are always the victim, sometimes it is easier to just remove that bird from the flock. One can cull several different ways, either dispatching her, or selling her. Constantly fighting is a sign of high tension. Some birds do get along better than others.

Sometimes setting up hideouts in the run, extra roosts, multiple feeders will also help. But if her original flock attacked her, I don't see this as promising getting her back in there.

Mrs K

 

[chickens really]

Over crowding could be the issue? Not enough protein in the feed? Breed plays a big part in aggressive behaviour.

 

[Mrs. K]

Thought on this some more: Always solve for the peace of the flock. If removing her, and the rest of the birds got along, cull her. If removing her, and the bullies find a new victim, remove the bullies.

MK

 

[chickens really]

Thought on this some more: Always solve for the peace of the flock. If removing her, and the rest of the birds got along, cull her. If removing her, and the bullies find a new victim, remove the bullies.

MK

I totally understand your thoughts..Although if management isn't correct the OP might be culling the entire flock...? Something is totally off.