What to do when the flock attacks one of their own?

[Hippichic]

I have 5 hens, about a year and a half old. They were raised together and have always gotten along very well until about a month or so ago. All of them have turned on one of my buffs. She now sleeps outside on the roost and hides in the coop on a perch during the day. They attack if she comes out. Her head, comb and eyes are bloody. It's heartbreaking to see especially since she is also my most friendly and cuddly hen. We were hoping they would work out their pecking order differences, but it seems to be getting worse and I'm concerned she'll die if they aren't allowing her to get to food and water.

I've thought of keeping her in a small dog cage inside the covered run with her own food and water to protect her from the others while she heals. I can also let her in the big yard to grass feed alone. I fear, though, this would just make it harder for her to integrate back into the flock.

I've also thought of finding her a new home, but am concerned if she's been picked on in one flock, that she would not be able to integrate into another flock, especially while she's injured.

Other info...we have a 16sq ft coop with 3 nesting boxes, 40sq ft of covered run and 60 sq ft of uncovered run.

Thought and ideas would be greatly appreciated. She is one of our favorite hens. We'd love to see her healthy and back in with the flock.

 

[sunflour]

You have to separate her to tend her wounds and let her heal. Even a small amt of blood will result in being pecked. Make sure you have done a thorough exam to rule out illness or other injury to her. My personal experience is that if a member of an established flock gets ill or weakened, the others will attack them aggressively. Worry about reintegration after you have her healthy and healed.

You should consider posting this under emergencies and hopefully will get more opinions.

Welcome to BYC, so sorry about the problem.