Help with Integrating a Chicken Back into the Flock After Bullying

[BarnyardBoss]

I have six chickens, all of which were raised together and are 10 months old now. However, over the past two weeks, one of my Rhode Island Reds has started picking on one of my Leghorns. Im not sure if the Leghorn started to molt or if the Red is pulling out her neck feathers, but after isolating the Leghorn in the garage in a separate cage, her feathers grew back. However, now she doesnt want to go back into the coop. Each time I try to put her back, she tries to climb the gate, and when I enter the coop, she jumps onto my back or shoulder. Currently, Im giving her a few hours in the coop during the day before returning her to the garage, but Im unsure if this is the right approach. Also, the other chickens are still chasing her, but I havent noticed any plucked feathers or pecking wounds. She is still laying eggs.

Am I handling this correctly, or is there a better way to reintegrate her into the flock?

[FarmsteadFowl]

It sounds like you're on the right track. The important thing is ensuring she has a safe space where she can feel comfortable while still getting reintroduced. I'd say try adding a few more distractions for the rest of the flock so they're not hyper-focused on the Leghorn. A few extra perches or treats in the coop can help with this!

[HatcheryHelper]

I agree with the others about taking it slow. Keep letting the Leghorn spend short times with the others. As long as she's not being harmed physically, this is just a matter of them figuring out their social structure again. It could take a few weeks, but she should eventually fit back in. Also, sometimes offering a treat or snack at the same time every day can help distract the flock and make things a little more peaceful.

[CrowingChampion]

I've had success with putting a mesh barrier between the two for a few days to allow them to see and hear each other without direct contact. This reduces the intensity of any aggression and allows them to adjust more slowly. After a few days of observation, try to reintroduce them gradually again.

[EggsAndThings]

It's not unusual for chickens to take time to adjust when a new hierarchy is forming. The key is making sure the Leghorn has access to safe spaces where she can get away from the bullying. You're doing great with the gradual reintroduction, but don't hesitate to separate the aggressive bird if the bullying continues for longer periods. Sometimes chickens need time apart to reset.

[CoopCaretaker]

Sounds like the Red might be a bit of a bully. One thing you could try is separating the aggressive chicken for a short time (a couple of hours) to reset the pecking order. That gives the Leghorn a chance to feel safer and reduces the Red's dominance. Once you put the Red back in, it might reset the behavior, allowing the Leghorn to integrate more peacefully.

[FeatherFiesta]

I had a similar problem with a hen in my flock. What worked for me was locking her in the coop with the others for a full day when I knew they wouldn't be able to escape, like when I was home and could monitor. That way, they had to deal with her presence and she couldn't avoid them. The bullying decreased after that, though I had to keep an eye on them for a little longer.

[BroodyBella]

If the Red is chasing her but there are no physical injuries, that's a positive sign! The behavior might just be a way of establishing or reaffirming dominance. Since she's still laying eggs and isn't physically harmed, it's likely not a serious problem. I'd recommend continuing your gradual reintroduction strategy and increasing her time in the coop to let the chickens work things out naturally, but keep an eye on any changes in behavior.

[SunkenHarvest]

It's pretty common for chickens to be territorial over nesting boxes, especially if they've been the only ones using them. I'd recommend trying to put up extra nesting boxes to give the Leghorn her own space, which might reduce the bullying behavior. Additionally, I'd continue to monitor closely for any signs of excessive stress or pecking.

[RoosterRambler]

It's not uncommon for chickens to act this way when reintegrating. I'd recommend continuing with the gradual integration, but if the chasing doesn't stop, you could try putting up a visual barrier (like a piece of mesh) between the aggressive bird and the Leghorn so that they can see each other without direct contact. This can sometimes help reduce aggression as they get used to each other again.