Reintroducing a Chicken to the flock

[Steph S.]

I am having an extremely hard time reintroducing a Golden Comet to my flock of 8. Here is my story:

In the spring I noticed my golden comet "Peep Junior" was getting picked on by the rest of the flock. One day she had a bloody comb and an injured food and was hiding in the corner of my coop. She was beet up pretty bad. I took her out of the coop and gave her a safe place to heal. Every week for months I have tried to re introduce her but she keeps getting beat up really badly. They go after her head, making her very bloody.

Here is what I have tried:

Peep Junior is living in isolation in a chicken tractor that is located in the pen with the flock.
I tried reintroducing Peep Junior to the flock both early in the morning or on the roost late at night. Neither made a difference.
I would isolate the other chickens that harass her but they ALL are SUPER aggressive towards her.
I have used a squirt gun blaster, the offending chickens run away from that, but as soon as I walk away they pick on her again.
I have tried loud noises, that doesn't work.
I have put extra food and water all around the chicken pen.
I have tried about 20 times to reintroduce Peep Junior.
I also have a chicken that is mean to the others behind closed doors, two of my chickens have bare backs. I watch them but i can't tell what is going on with that.

I love my chickens but I am about to give up on them. I will attach some pics of my flock.
Thanks for any advice!

 

[theuglychick]

Sorry for your troubles.

I would pull another more docile bird out and put with Peep for a week or so, then when you're ready to reIntroduce peep and the other bird, remove the two biggest instagators and isolate them for about tewo weeks while peep gets back re-established.

This should give peep and the other bird time to reintegrate into the flock while knocking the trouble makers down a few pegs.

If the instigators restart the issues when returned after a few weeks, you may need to rehome the trouble makers or consider your coop and run arrangements, as these issues crop up when space is limiting the victim birds escape.

Best of luck! Let us know what you decide and the outcome!

 

[Izzychicky]

I'm so sorry about peeps junior. Maybe try putting like a quarter teaspoon of salt in the water i have heard that helps