Reintroducing to flock after injury

[LittleMissCountry]

My buff orp, Penny, was in the house due to bumblefoot, for about a week. She was lowest in pecking order out of my four chickens. I brought in the other buff orp during the day to be with her, so she wasn't alone.

I have been slowly trying to reintroduce her. I started about four days ago, by putting her and the other chickens in a portable pen, with a divider. The two black sex links stalked her against the divider, pecking at her if she got close enough they could get her through the wire. I did this every day, for several hours at a time, and they started ignoring her.
So today, I tried letting them out to free range together, with the coop and run open, so she could escape if need be. The two black sex links attacked her. One pecked off a chunk of her comb. I doctored that up, and then I put one of the offenders (the one that drew blood) in the dog crate in the house. The other one went after her again, but it seemed normal pecking order stuff, pecking her shoulder and comb, but not drawing blood.

So now, the three chickens are in the coop and run together, where Penny can escape to the roosts or the coop. The one is still pecking, but not drawing blood.

Advice from here? Do I leave the one that drew blood in the house for a few day? Do I bring Penny in at night, or leave her out there now?

 

[SarahLeta]

It can be tough having a small flock. If it were me, I would replace the sex links and let Penny be happy with the buff in the meantime. Bravo treating the bumblefoot. For me, having good or bad chickens in the house can get old real fast.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

It can be tough having a small flock. If it were me, I would replace the sex links and let Penny be happy with the buff in the meantime. Bravo treating the bumblefoot. For me, having good or bad chickens in the house can get old real fast.

Thanks...I had a lot of help from people on here, especially @Wyorp Rock !

I am still bringing her in to change the bandage and soak in Epsom salt until all is healed.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My buff orp, Penny, was in the house due to bumblefoot, for about a week. She was lowest in pecking order out of my four chickens. I brought in the other buff orp during the day to be with her, so she wasn't alone.

I have been slowly trying to reintroduce her. I started about four days ago, by putting her and the other chickens in a portable pen, with a divider. The two black sex links stalked her against the divider, pecking at her if she got close enough they could get her through the wire. I did this every day, for several hours at a time, and they started ignoring her.
So today, I tried letting them out to free range together, with the coop and run open, so she could escape if need be. The two black sex links attacked her. One pecked off a chunk of her comb. I doctored that up, and then I put one of the offenders (the one that drew blood) in the dog crate in the house. The other one went after her again, but it seemed normal pecking order stuff, pecking her shoulder and comb, but not drawing blood.

So now, the three chickens are in the coop and run together, where Penny can escape to the roosts or the coop. The one is still pecking, but not drawing blood.

Advice from here? Do I leave the one that drew blood in the house for a few day? Do I bring Penny in at night, or leave her out there now?

Glad she is feeling well enough to go back outside.
Each situation is a little different, but yes, I would separate the BSL for several days out of sight from the others and no visitors LOL
Keep in mind that some birds have a really strong personality, so separation may not even work, she may continue right back where she left off.
See how that goes first.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

Glad she is feeling well enough to go back outside.
Each situation is a little different, but yes, I would separate the BSL for several days out of sight from the others and no visitors LOL
Keep in mind that some birds have a really strong personality, so separation may not even work, she may continue right back where she left off.
See how that goes first.

Thank you! I kept Star, the BSL inside last night, and let Penny sleep in the coop. I checked on her around 9 p.m. and she was snuggled up with the other buff orp. So sweet!

Her foot looks better! I meant to post pics in the other thread but couldn't find it. I am still keeping it wrapped and soaking. For some reason it won't let me upload right now

 

[LittleMissCountry]

I kept the BSL in the crate in the house for 3 days. It was going to just be 2, but we a really cold day, so I kept her in another day. I let them all out into the yard together and Star immediately ran to Penny and pecked at her, but then the other buff orp ran over and pecked Star, which threw her off. After about an hour of Star alternately chasing Penny and being chased, she settled down and it was normal pecking order behavior, no more vicious attacks. Tonight they are all roosting together in the coop!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I kept the BSL in the crate in the house for 3 days. It was going to just be 2, but we a really cold day, so I kept her in another day. I let them all out into the yard together and Star immediately ran to Penny and pecked at her, but then the other buff orp ran over and pecked Star, which threw her off. After about an hour of Star alternately chasing Penny and being chased, she settled down and it was normal pecking order behavior, no more vicious attacks. Tonight they are all roosting together in the coop!

Oh Good! Sometimes it does work, other times you have to re-think things. Glad it's going well.
Thank you for the update

 

[LittleMissCountry]

Oh Good! Sometimes it does work, other times you have to re-think things. Glad it's going well.
Thank you for the update

Thank you again for your help. I am sure glad it worked to reintegrate them. My husband was a good sport about it, but he was tired of having chickens in the basement. Lol

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you again for your help. I am sure glad it worked to reintegrate them. My husband was a good sport about it, but he was tired of having chickens in the basement. Lol

YVW! You did a wonderful job taking care of her and getting her back to the flock! I hope all goes well for you.