Reintroducing hen to the flock after being injured

[old mama hen]

We have a flock of Bovans that are about 18 months old. We bought them from a chicken laying house. We got them to replace hens that we lost this winter. About a week ago one of them started bleeding after laying. I removed her and put in a pen by herself. I applied antibiotic ointment to her vent and she has healed. Today I decided to put her back with the others. The others started chasing her and one began pecking her. Any suggestions on getting her back with her flock? I need to do it soon as we want to put this flock with the rest of our hens.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Was the pen in sight of the others, or was she completely removed from the area? If she was removed you'd need to integrate her back in as if she were a newcomer.

 

[Mrs. K]

Well if I read this right, you now have two separate flocks, that you are wanting to eventually combine + this injured flock. AND a lot depends on how you have things set up and how much space you have.

But I think that I would add her back at the same time I add the two flocks together. Bound to be a bit of a dust up, and they will all be feeling pressure. I would do this if flock two is close to the same numbers or more of birds as flock 1. Flock 1 being the established flock.

However - I am making a lot of assumptions here. I have a 20 x 30 foot run, and a lot of clutter in it. Not everyone has the same set up, and smaller set ups need different plans.

If you have a smaller set up, add one bird to her. A kind of middle of the pecking order bird. There will be a dust up, but it is one bird on one and should settle down soon. Wait 3-5 days until they calm down and accept each other. Adding a pair is better than adding a single bird.

If you are having a real hard time in a smaller set up - I would check out pin less peepers.

Mrs K

 

[old mama hen]

Was the pen in sight of the others, or was she completely removed from the area? If she was removed you'd need to integrate her back in as if she were a newcomer.

We have her in a large dog crate and not in sight of the others. Thanks for the advice.

 

[old mama hen]

Well if I read this right, you now have two separate flocks, that you are wanting to eventually combine + this injured flock. AND a lot depends on how you have things set up and how much space you have.

But I think that I would add her back at the same time I add the two flocks together. Bound to be a bit of a dust up, and they will all be feeling pressure. I would do this if flock two is close to the same numbers or more of birds as flock 1. Flock 1 being the established flock.

However - I am making a lot of assumptions here. I have a 20 x 30 foot run, and a lot of clutter in it. Not everyone has the same set up, and smaller set ups need different plans.

If you have a smaller set up, add one bird to her. A kind of middle of the pecking order bird. There will be a dust up, but it is one bird on one and should settle down soon. Wait 3-5 days until they calm down and accept each other. Adding a pair is better than adding a single bird.

If you are having a real hard time in a smaller set up - I would check out pin less peepers.

Mrs K

We have a fairly large run. Probably 15' x 30' with a hen house that has plenty of room. We had 25 before raccoons & possums decimated our flock. The run is now totally enclosed. Flock 1 is 14 hens and 1 rooster ( Jersey Giant) that is very protective. I went in the hen house while a hen was on the nest and he came after me. His spurs will be trimmed before I introduce the Flock 2 to Flock 1. Flock 2 is 8 + the injured one. Also like the idea of combining the injured hen at the same time. My husband and I are thinking of doing this just after dark and putting Flock 2 on the roost. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Thank you.

 

[Mrs. K]

That might be a disaster. What will work more effectively, is to put the new birds where you have the old birds flock 1. Put flock one where you have flock 2. This will let flock 2 explore the area, without being chased. Gives them some confidence. Or let flock 1 out of the set up, and lock flock 2 into the set up.

Then as close to dark as you can, let the old birds back in and add the injured one at dark. Be down there early in the morning. With a lot of numbers like that, there should be a bit of bluster, all around, but that is tiring and that should settle quickly. However, one never truly knows.

Mrs K

 

[old mama hen]

Wanted to let you know ho

That might be a disaster. What will work more effectively, is to put the new birds where you have the old birds flock 1. Put flock one where you have flock 2. This will let flock 2 explore the area, without being chased. Gives them some confidence. Or let flock 1 out of the set up, and lock flock 2 into the set up.

Then as close to dark as you can, let the old birds back in and add the injured one at dark. Be down there early in the morning. With a lot of numbers like that, there should be a bit of bluster, all around, but that is tiring and that should settle quickly. However, one never truly knows.

Mrs K

Wanted to let you know how it went. We put the older flock #1 out about noon after they had time to lay. Then we put flock 2 and the hen that had recuperated in the main pen. Left them in the hen house for about an hour and then let them into the pen to explore their new home. A few hours later got flock 1 back in the coop. Took a lot longer than I anticipated as a sudden thunderstorm came through. The storm was a blessing though because both flocks gathered together under the overhang on the hen house for at least an hour until the storm passed. After dark I put 4 that were gathered on the ground on the roost. This morning all is well with an occasional kerfuffle, which is normal. Thanks for the help.