Trying to reintroduce injured chicken

[stephvan]

I have around a 3 year old buff and I noticed a couple of weeks ago that she wasn’t standing on one of her feet very week. She was holding it up .I checked foot for ulcers and didn’t see anything but went ahead and put some antibiotic cream on it. I separated her from flock and put her in pet taxi until she healed. Her leg seems a little better so I’ve tried twice to reintroduce her to flock . Once at night and then once while they are out free ranging in yard. Each time one of the hens another buff tries to hurt her. Not sure what I can do at this point. She’s back in the pet carrier, any advice ?

 

[Mutchi]

It shouldn't be that hard to reintroduce. The others should remember the chickens' identity

 

[FuzzyOwlFeet]

Reintroducing chickens can be a pain, chickens do not form friendships, once you take one out it is a stranger the next time you bring it in.

Right now what is happening is your injured bird is at the bottom of the pecking order. The other chickens are attacking her to make sure she knows she is unwelcome.
There are several good articles I read here on BYC, I'll try to find them.

Do you have a wire dog crate? That is my first go-to method. Set her in a crate in the middle of the coop so everyone can see her. Do that for a few days and then start setting her up in the roosts at night.

If only one hen is doing the attacking, separate her into the dog crate. This will shake up her spot in the pecking order and will give the injured one a chance to get back in there where she was before.

Hopefully more people can chime in and give you their methods, everyone has something unique that works for them.

 

[FuzzyOwlFeet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

This one was pretty good

 

[FuzzyOwlFeet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

Aha! This is the one I was thinking of! I'm done spamming your thread now, sorry!

 

[stephvan]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

Aha! This is the one I was thinking of! I'm done spamming your thread now, sorry!

Thanks so much , I’ve had the dog crate in our shop , think I’ll try next few days to put it inside the chicken yard and see if that helps. I’ve done that when introducing new chicks. If that doesn’t do it , I’ll just put the bullying hen in there. Thanks