AHHHHHHHHH SHHHHHHHHHHHe flew the coop!!!!!!!!!!!

[secuono]

A roo and a hen flew the coop on day one because I messed up like you did((did not secure the area I was releasing them into)) and they have been gone for 2-3 months. I will say that if you cannot chase them until they tire, you won't catch them. There's a slim chance it will come back and follow the others into the coop, but if the roo does not approve of it, no way it will happen. My roo and hen took another young roo with them. We chased him for 3 days back and forth along a fence, the 3rd day we ran around for 2-3 solid hours, he finally tired and I was able to get a death grip on him. I was in a huge thorn and ivy bush. Stuck my hand through 2 old rusted fences and had to use my other hand to move the thorn vines out of the way to get him through.
The hen either died or was eaten by now, I haven't seen her in weeks. The roo is still around, but I cannot free range my other birds until he is gone, sucks. The run away roo used to be top dog, so I don't want him fighting with the new roo or leading my flock astray.

Good luck though.

 

[TnTom]

She's showed this evening and we nabbed her after dark and into the coop she went. All is quiet.

Thanks for your support. I've learned a lot. I did use a net and had to make 2 attempts. I missed the initial grab, my wife was standing by with the net but missed. Newbie bolted when I touched her and disappeared in the dark. I was all torqued. So while I was pissin and moanin mywife took the flash light and net and headed into the brush. Keep in mind my wife is scared of the dark...totally. It was like oh boy. In five minutes she had it in the net. Off too the coop after we calmed her down (the chicken).

That was the good part of the day. The night before last night was not a good night.
I left the coop unsecured and my most joyful Cochin hen fell to a predator. A pretty heavy heart around here today. Butch the rooster sang the blues all day and Ethel the little Buff Cochin hen was all confused. She is very innocent. Wheres Sadie? Sad sad day. She was the bell of the ball. I didn't find any bird or blood just feathers all over. I NEVER leave my run open. I thought maybe the newbie would come out from hiding in the morning and meet my birds so I left it open intentionally. There was never a sign of a predator but I live in the woods, almost, but very rural. I've shot coyote, seen Bobcat, possum, coon some say weasel aren't uncommon. I just never saw any sign of them lurking or hanging out. So a very experienced predator and not so experienced bird owner guess who looses. It only took one bad decisions by me and I saw how bad it can be for the birds.

The newbie looks just like Ethel the buff. They look like twins which is why I picker her and she was like a surprise for my wife who wanted to add a fourth bird and give Butch 3 hens total with 4 bird in the coop it should be more cozy this winter. Well in between Sadie being killed and my wife nabbing the new buff I had gone back to my friend and brought home 2 Cochin banty hens.

It wasn't until after I went a got the 2 newbies at noon that my wife saw the buff newbie peeking out of her cover. I was feeling maybe the little buff fell to the predator . The 2 newbies I brought home are identical to Sadie.

So Yesterday I began the day with 3 beautiful birds added a newbie that makes 4 total. Before the day ended I was back to 3 birds and a newbie on the lamb. Before morning one of my three birds gets killed on her roost so now its Butch the rooster and little Ethel and one on the lamb (Freida we'll call her). We'll say two in hand and one in the bush. I drive over to my friends house and bring home two Black Cochins hens so now its four in hand and one in the bush. My wife snags "Ethel" and now the count is five in hand.


I wouldn't have traded all the tea in China for Sadie. I am so so sorry. We have only been keeping chickens for 2 months and the "Three Musketeers" were as lovable as your first born child (I've have never had a first born so bare with me).

They are all five going to wake up together in the same coop, door open, to a secure run, gate closed and I can divide in a hurry if they have problem. What a day. Thanks again.

They are up and seeming to be getting along. Butch and Ethel want out to range but I'm going to keep them in with the 3 newbies (its storming anyway) and let all five get to know each other. I was awake all night and went to check on everyone at 1 am everything was quiet they came out into the run at 7am with only a little pecking. Ethel who was at the bottom of the old pecking and very timid appears to be making a statement and much being more assertive. We'll see. We'll cal the two new blacks Mosie and Posie.

Thanks for all the support and it really made a difference in getting Freda out of the wild and housed. I need a nap.

 

[caralynnp]

Sorry about your loss, I hope tomorrow goes better. New chickens, new personalities, it takes the sting out a little.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

Sorry for your loss, glad the new girl is in the coop. I think I would leave her in the coop for a few days before I would let her out.. That way she will know where home is.. Good luck w/ all your new babies..

 

[TnTom]

Quote:
Well they are all back and have started their routine. We ranged them all last night about an hour before sunset and again tonight about and hour and half. They did so well. We are so relieved. Butch likes his new gals and they love him and little Ethel is now #1 in the pecking order. There sure was a lot to learn.

We will really miss Sadie.