REINTRODUCING 3 INJURED HENS (now healed) BACK INTO FLOCK

[janina power]

Hi everyone,
SO heres the scoop
I had to seperate 3 injured hens for already now 5 days. (They had their tail ends close to vent area pecked to the point of blood - my mistake I think what I had done wrong is had their nesting area in bright daylight, no walls, no curtains, some are new layers and maybe that started it? I honestly dont know)
The 3 I brought in were seperated in their old brooder but they can still see eachother. I rotate their positions a bit . They are healing but still have a bit of a scab on that tail end. So NOT sure if im going to reintegrate them back to the flock just yet. BUT MY QUESTION IS
When it comes time to reintegrate them do I bring all 3 in at once? Do I give it a chance for the 3 injured ones to get together first for a bit so they are used to eachother again before bringing them out to the other 3 ( I only have 1 Roo and two other hens)?
I wonder how that works because two of the injured have been laying eggs, but again with no proper secluded nesting area if I put the 3 of them together I worry they might make it a social event and possibly peck on eachother during egg laying maybe? Makes me so nervous..
and when it comes time to add them back to the other 3 in the coop do I do it at night? I have a small area under the poop shelf that they could stay in as well until the other 3 get used to them for a couple days but again Im worried that the 3 together might not have enough space to be able to lay eggs ?
Im new to this chicken keeping business, I found finding 3 injured hens so overwhelming already, I was expecting the odd injury to one hen or what not, but this has rattled me quite a bit having to look after 3 , but they are healing.. Im just SO nervous about bringing them back together.
Also not sure of when to do it . One out of the 3 still looks like she needs more time, but the other two look pretty good just have a dime sized scab on teir tail ends.. but when their feathers are fluffed up you cant even tell..
Im also in NB Canada and temps are starting to get cooler , but the next fwe days they are a little warmer so I was thinking to maybe go about doing this soon, but how soon is too soon?
HELP please

 

[azygous]

Let's address first why these three got cannibalized. It's important to correct whatever led up to them getting injured.

Inadequate space is usually the cause. But to be sure, you need to observe your flock at various times during the day so you can spot, not only bad behavior, but which chickens are doing it and which are victims. A run has to have at minimum 10 square feet per chicken. Any less, they will fight and injure each other. If the run is too small, it needs to be corrected or these injuries will only continue to be a problem.

Are there enough nest boxes? They should be in various places, not all grouped close together for the very reason chickens want what another chicken has. If they nest in different areas, they are less likely to notice one is in a favorite box.

You have already identified your first step - getting the three segregated chickens reacquainted. Where are these three now? Bring them together in separate enclosures so they can see and talk to each other for one day. Then put them all together in one space to observe how they relate. If there is any conflict, it needs to be noted who is having an issue with the other.

Note: chickens should never be separated unless it's absolutely necessary. They need to retain contact to avoid the very problem you're facing now.

Next step is to introduce them back to the flock with a barrier. They can get reacquainted while remaining safe. Again, observe which individuals have an issue with which other individuals. Make a note of it. It will help identify bullies and victims in case further action is necessary.

After a day with a barrier, take it down and observe if any individual is being bullied and if she isn't fighting back. That victim will require further help getting her self confidence back. This is how I treat that sort of victim. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

If this hasn't addressed all your issues, please ask questions and we'll figure it out.