When to return to flock post crop surgery?

[Ccort]

My hen had crop surgery nine days ago. Her crop is a bit slow, but is emptying. I think some of the slowness is that she's finishing a molt. The last two days, I allowed her some outdoor time so she could dirt bath, have some fresh air and see her flock mates. Today she's eating bugs outside but allowing very limited time in grass. (Mostly in her run).

She is eating more and certainly happier outside. Temps today are mid 60s but starting tomorrow, they begin to drop with lows in the 20s. Obviously, she's missing some feathers from surgery.

Could she get frostbite if I allow her to start staying outside (again in coop and run...limited grass for now)? I could wait until next weekend, just worry about her boredom/depression that's seems to be kicking in and how she eats more when outside., as well as potential flockmate bullying. If I wait more than bout a week, those low temps will likely stick around for months.

 

[AmeraucanaLover 2011]

Hi Ccort, have you noticed any of her flock mates picking on her during her short visits outside? If bullying isn't a problem and she is eating well you could try to have her start staying outside. What areas of her body are you concerned about her getting frostbite? Are you going to have her sleep outside with her flock or come in for the night?