Sick chicken, will leave one alone if she dies

[Equiem]

Hi @Equiem. I'm really happy that you take in ex batts. I rescued six in August 2017. Sadly I have lost two. One at the end of last year and one just two weeks ago. The moment I got them home they thrived. Seeing the transformation from a pale, featherless timid girls to a happy fully feathered chooks! I did have a few problems integrating them with the rest of my girls but it eventually worked out! The two that I lost I believe was due to tumours. They were fine then started acting almost as if they had cocci so I treated them for that. But over a couple of months they started losing weight. I worm all mine every 4 months so I know it wasn't worms. They also ate very well. They continued to have good days and bad days. But toward the end more bad than good. I didn't have a vet until recently but I don't think it would have made any difference. They were both about three years old. So they have had at least half their life in freedom. I'm glad that yours seems to be on the mend. It's heartbreaking when you do all you can and they don't improve. As to integrating your new ones I'd be more worried about the one you already have being difficult. It is her territory after all. The new ones will be in a completely alien environment and although they will have been caged as a colony together won't probably know each other like a regular backyard flock hen. I'd keep them close to each other but separate but not for two long so they don't form 4 against 1. They may or they may not get cocci. It would be advisable to have treatment on hand before you get them, just incase. Cocci won't kill them so long as it is treated quickly and with the proper medication but they will be poorly for a few days or a week. As for your hen at the moment could you bring her in? I'm sure she'd like the extra attention!

The British Hen Welfare Trust said I had a "baptism by fire" with the girls I was given last year because of everything I've been through with them. I think that's the problem with their previous ill treatment is that you can't tell the ... healthier ... ones from the really sick ones and I think I got a bad bunch (don't get me wrong, I loved them all) but only one out of my initial five has thrived without having to go to the vet and she was the most naked one of the lot!
My girls came home almost bare, I loved watching them grow their feathers and get all their fluffy bums. Saying that though, one of my chickens never grew her feathers back in the time she was alive!
The 3 chickens I lost were due to egg yolk peritonitis. My (very good) chicken vet aspirated nasty fluid from their abdomen. 2 were yellow, and Gertrudes was purple from what the vet says was bleeding.
I've had some advice from the BHWT regarding integrating the newbies. I will be taking the remaining two out of their pen and letting them free range whilst the new girls find their way around the pen and get used to being a free chicken. However, they will be able to see each other through the mesh fence that will separate them. The BHWT say to put them in together at night but I'm not sure I will just yet.
The "sick" chicken is the bossy one and the other is scared of everything. Neither of them are happy with being picked up although the "sick" one has had to give in a few times recently. She is actually okay at the moment -touch wood- so is happy to be out and scratching around in the company of her fellow hen. She gets.. "treats" in the form of medication soaked bread (the only way I can get her to eat it) so she's quite happy with that!