Reintegrating Injured Bird?

[EMarston]

I have a 14-wk-old buff orpington that was injured on Saturday evening when a canoe tipped over on her in the yard. At first I thought I was going to lose her because initially she couldn't walk, but she is almost back to normal now (just a little slow, like she's sore) and is eating, eliminating, etc.

The first night I had her separated in the house to keep an eye on her, then I put her back out with the others and made sure they weren't picking on her. They accepted her and piled up with her just fine. Then yesterday (about 2 days after the injury) one of the young roosters attacked her 3 times during the day when she would try to get near the food while they were all free-ranging in the yard. (He has since been sent to a new home that we had picked out for him already, it was just a little quicker than we had planned.)

Today, with the offending rooster gone, she is now *choosing* to separate herself from the flock--staying in the hen house by herself or lying in the bushes across the yard from the bunch--though she is still walking just fine (still a little slow) and eating so I feel good about her recovery prospects.

My question is, should I just trust the process and hope that she will eventually reintegrate back into the flock, or is there something I can/should do to facilitate it? Should I even worry about it? (I feel sorry for her!

)

Thanks!

Erica

 

[chkn]

When they're not feeling well they tend to stay off on their own. She may just be sore. Hopefully the incident didn't break an egg inside her. If it were me, I'd leave her out.

 

[chicmom]

I would just keep watching her, like you are, and as long as nobody's picking on her, let things be. It always seems like they get upset if you separate them.....