reintroducing a hen back to the flock-need advice

[sadiefaith]

I am seeking input from some experienced BYC folks-we are at a loss and do not know where to turn next. About 3 weeks ago, we had our 1 1/2 year old Isa Brown, Nugget, with a minor leg injury; a trip to the vet did not show any broken bones and we nursed her in a dog crate for one week. When we tried to return her to the flock of 5 pullets, there was mayhem. we were shocked and in horror at the response of the flock and realized that reintegrating her was going to be more difficult than realized. We turned to the BYC community (thanks to everyone) for advice and followed the tips to reintegrate an injured hen to the flock; we did the "within sight but segregated" and removed the bully for a short time. We also spent the entire day yesterday (13 hours) sitting outside the coop monitoring the group to make sure that we did not have any blood shed. Last night, we were so happy that she spent the day with everyone without being picked on too bad and joined the group on the roost at night.

Well, today, we saw an increase in the bullying behavior and see the others starting to peck at the back of her neck and comb, with a very small amount of blood drawn. we also see Nugget become very agitated and nervous which stirs the group up even more. She did join the flock on the roost tonight but opted to roost on a window ledge and is near the group but not with the group. We are seeking any advice from others now, should we put the bully out of sight? should we return to a in sight but segregated approach? or slowly return the flock one by one? at this point, we are so worried that her trauma will be a hinderance to her return to the flock; her leg injury has healed so she has the ability to run away but her trauma is very real. we welcome the advice from all, this is so worrisome and hard to watch; thank you.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Are your birds confined? Do you have places where birds can get away? Things to get up on, behind or under?

 

[aart]

You could try putting one of the flock in with the segregated single for long enough for them to bond, and the single to gain some confidence, then add them both back.

or here's another technique:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

 

[sadiefaith]

Are your birds confined? Do you have places where birds can get away? Things to get up on, behind or under?

we do not free range our girls due to predators but we have a large coop, a permanent run that is attached to the coop and a portable run. within the coop and permanent run, they have several roosts to jump on for protection. Nugget has been retreating to these spaces when feeling threatened. we also have the ability to separate the flock if needed between the coop and permanent run so that everyone can still see each other and have access to food, water, and space. we are trying every possible way of separating and even had a dog crate in the coop at night for her protection. any other thoughts?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You may just need to keep at it.

Adding extra stuff like leaning pallets, or low tables could make the birds focus on the new stuff in the run and forget about the hen.

Often when a bird acts frightened it can trigger aggression. Sometimes you just need to confine the one bird longer but within sight until she isn't a novelty anymore. Could actually take a month or two.

 

[lovingmyhens]

I think what @aart was saying is put nugget and one other (maybe the one who bullies less) segregated together for a while and let nugget and the other bond. Maybe let them roost with all the chickens at night and segregate together again the next day. Do this for a few days.

 

[sadiefaith]

I think what @aart was saying is put nugget and one other (maybe the one who bullies less) segregated together for a while and let nugget and the other bond. Maybe let them roost with all the chickens at night and segregate together again the next day. Do this for a few days.

I think what @aart was saying is put nugget and one other (maybe the one who bullies less) segregated together for a while and let nugget and the other bond. Maybe let them roost with all the chickens at night and segregate together again the next day. Do this for a few days.

I think what @aart was saying is put nugget and one other (maybe the one who bullies less) segregated together for a while and let nugget and the other bond. Maybe let them roost with all the chickens at night and segregate together again the next day. Do this for a few days.

I think what @aart was saying is put nugget and one other (maybe the one who bullies less) segregated together for a while and let nugget and the other bond. Maybe let them roost with all the chickens at night and segregate together again the next day. Do this for a few days.

I think what @aart was saying is put nugget and one other (maybe the one who bullies less) segregated together for a while and let nugget and the other bond. Maybe let them roost with all the chickens at night and segregate together again the next day. Do this for a few days.

thanks for the great advice; we will be keeping Nugget with two of the hens that are lower in the pecking order and the ones that have not bothered her too much (just a peck or two). we are wondering if you have any feedback about removing the bully for a few days to knock her down a peg or two?