Reintroducing Injured Chicken to Flock

[PetMama]

Our Polish Silkie, Golda, had a decently sized chunk of her head plume feathers missing and slightly bloody when I arrived home from work last Wednesday. I have no idea how it happened or if it was from one of the other chickens. I immediately went online, found out how to treat her, and removed her from the coop, away from the 5 other chickens we have in there. We've had her isolated in her own pen since then. She seems to be healing just fine, and I see a tiny amount of regrowth on her sad little bald spot, but it still looks like an injury. I'm not sure how long she should be away from the flock, and if there is a best way to reintroduce her when the time comes. Any information or experiences from other chicken parents would be really appreciated. TY in advance!!!

 

[ChickNanny13]

I've read that Polish tend to get their head feathers "picked on" alot, Silkies got a "soft spot" on the top of their heads. Unclear as to how long before a reintroduction will be needed. I haven't had to do it but have read keeping them visually yet separate for a week or longer; wire cage with food/water in the main coop. Would it be possible to put her current pen in the main coop? What breeds are the rest of your flock?

Others with more reintroduction methods should be peeping in ...

 

[PetMama]

I've read that Polish tend to get their head feathers "picked on" alot, Silkies got a "soft spot" on the top of their heads. Unclear as to how long before a reintroduction will be needed. I haven't had to do it but have read keeping them visually yet separate for a week or longer; wire cage with food/water in the main coop. Would it be possible to put her current pen in the main coop? What breeds are the rest of your flock?

Others with more reintroduction methods should be peeping in ...

Thanks so much for your response. The others are (1 of each) Americauna, Rhode Island Red, Cuckoo Moran, Mottled Java, and a Rainbow. The pen she's in won't fit in the current coop. The coop is big, but the pen she's in is still to big. I'll have to read up on Silkies. What scares me the most is that I read that once a chicken has a visible injury, that the other chickens tend to peck at it. Not sure if it's true in all cases, but does worry me.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Someone else had a similar issue (Pullet or Roo?? She is now 6 months old today) their Silkie got pecked on the hear by some LF in her flock. Sadly it passed. Maybe be best to separate Goldie from the bigger birds if you're able too?