So tonight, I went to lock up the run and coop, since the girls were free ranging today, and yes, I admit, it was a bit late when I did so. Anyhow, my 9 year old son and I did the count. And then did the count again, and then started trying to identify who was missing. I heard a funny noise above us in the run, and, THERE, between the wire roof and the shed roof, were two of my 17 week old hens! ARG! I was able to reach them by standing on a lawn chair (not recommended, by the way) and put them into the run. Without even thinking about their poor eyesight, I tossed the first one like I do when I release them, thinking she would open her wings. Nope. She went, "THUNK!" on the run floor. Ouch. 
Sorry, girl. I got the other one, and gently put her down. My son and I went to the coop and did the count again. Dang it. We were still one short. We counted three, four, five times. Ten. Ten. TEN. There were ten chickens in there. (profanity, profanity, profanity!) So I told Julian, "We gotta check everywhere." We checked all the ground hiding places, sideways pots, dog kennels, etc. No hen. "Okay, kiddo, we gotta check high places. Chickens like to roost in trees." We look, and, lo and behold, there is Louise, roosting high up in the cottonwood tree.
The only ladder I have is my husband's Little Giant. Heavy, cumbersome, but it had to do. I brought it out and extended it, only to have my 15 year old TRY to come out and help with it, and he near broke my hand. "stop stop STOP!" I got up on the ladder and sweet talked her. As soon as I touched her, she started flapping. Dangitdangitdangit! I managed to get a tenuous grasp on her, screwing up a few feathers, I'm sure. I put her in the coop, and she took a moment or two to find her spot on the roosts. Egad.
So, the major question is--do I have to put them to bed 'early' in order to get them ALL IN the coop? We all know what it is like to herd chickens. Is this going to be necessary for a while? Or should I not let them free range for a few days? They ARE learning a new chicken size 'doggy' type door. Is this why the problems? I can't do this again; it traumatized us all too much!
Sorry, girl. I got the other one, and gently put her down. My son and I went to the coop and did the count again. Dang it. We were still one short. We counted three, four, five times. Ten. Ten. TEN. There were ten chickens in there. (profanity, profanity, profanity!) So I told Julian, "We gotta check everywhere." We checked all the ground hiding places, sideways pots, dog kennels, etc. No hen. "Okay, kiddo, we gotta check high places. Chickens like to roost in trees." We look, and, lo and behold, there is Louise, roosting high up in the cottonwood tree.
So, the major question is--do I have to put them to bed 'early' in order to get them ALL IN the coop? We all know what it is like to herd chickens. Is this going to be necessary for a while? Or should I not let them free range for a few days? They ARE learning a new chicken size 'doggy' type door. Is this why the problems? I can't do this again; it traumatized us all too much!
I had to do the water thing to myself. :/ Hope it gets better for you soon! I must say tho, I enjoy reading your post, so detailed! 
