Rooster attacking hen

[Maggieannrussell]

Hello everyone,

This is my first time even posting a question here and I am hoping I can get some advice. I have never owned chickens so am new to this.

My landlord owns a large group of chickens and roosters. They go into a shelter at night, and are let out to free range during the day. A group of about eight to ten hens and two roosters always make it into my yard, which always made me happy. About three weeks ago, I noticed one of the hens did not go back with her group once evening came but I figured she would make her way down. By the next day, she was still in my yard, huddled against one of my planter boxes. Well, it turns out she had an injured leg and could not bear weight on it at all. It just happened to start pouring out, too, so I brought her into the house and kept her in an old horse trough I had. She could lay in a nest, and eat/drink without getting up. It took about two weeks until she started feeling better and walking on it. She got very comfortable with me, my dogs and cats, and would hang around the house with them, and even started laying eggs! A couple of days ago the group of hens and roosters were up at my house and I figured I would introduce my now-healed hen back to her group. Well, both of the roosters went after her, and I mean attacking her. She hobbled as fast as she could to me and went straight into the house. I tried a couple more times and she just wanted absolutely nothing to do with them at all, especially when the roosters came around.

Today was her first day by herself outside, I have a covered patio attached to my laundry room with her crate. I got home from work and one of the roosters was in my yard! He must have flown over the fence?? It had started raining again, she was soaking wet, and her poor leg was injured again and all the feathers on her back were scratched off and missing. She was very upset. I picked her up and she was trembling. I immediately brought her in and chased the rooster off but now I am at a loss. I feel so terrible!!!

Will she ever be accepted back with her group?
Would she be happy living without other chickens if I made her a safe enclosure at my house?
She is very attached to us and roosts on the kitchen chairs and lays eggs in my dogs bed, I have no idea if that is ok or not? The chickens and roosters are usually not friendly but she has gotten so used to me in her space when she couldn’t walk that she now follows me around.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Maggie

 

[SarahGfa]

Can you make a safe space for her outside during the day? Perhaps put her outside in the crate? That way the roosters and the rest of the group can see her, and get used to her again, but not attack her. They have all forgot who she is and see her as a stranger.

 

[meetthebubus]

Sounds interesting seems like the 2 weeks without her made them forget her so she is now an outsider it would take weeks of see no touch next to them then a few pecking order fights once introduced again and careful supervision while doing so

Seems to me you and your pets are her new flock and your home her safe coop and the dogs bed her nest. Keeping her alone isn't good I would go with keeping her with you as much as possible with a small protected outside area for fresh air, sun and dust baths which she will need


My opinion is she will be harmed if just taken back to the flock

 

[Maggieannrussell]

Ok, thank you both for taking the time to give your advice! I sooooo appreciate it! I will definitely not let her be unattended in the yard again until I can get her a safe enclosure when I’m not home so she can sun bathe and peck for bugs, etc. I’m just going to keep her in the house until then. I’ve been researching and found a couple good options for outdoor coops. I had no idea roosters could fly! Thank you again, if I have any more questions, I’m definitely going to post. This site is so informative. Thank you!

 

[SarahGfa]

If you are going to keep her, please get one or two friends to keep her company!

But I think if her old flock spends a few days hanging out where they can see her, but not attack her, they will welcome her back. I have taken sick birds inside the house for 3 weeks and they always rejoin the flock after two days of supervision.

 

[aart]

Not surprising at all.

Here's some tips on .....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[meetthebubus]

Y'all need to see the OP first post which says the flock isn't hers so she cant control integration etc

 

[roosterhavoc]

Roosters that are extremely mean to hens magically disappear all the time. Especially when they’re loose just about anything can get them.

 

[Maggieannrussell]

Thank you again everyone for your advice. Am definitely going to make a safe enclosure for her outside so the others can see her but not hurt her, and will go from there. I really appreciate your help!

 

[chickens really]

Chickens will attack sick and injured Birds. Survival of the fittest.