I had a similar experience with a wild chicken. It's true that domestic animals will go semi-feral quickly, in order to survive. I heard a strange growling-cackle one morning next to my rooster pen. There she was a strange looking skinny chicken, with a tall tail. I left food out for her trying to lure her. Then, one morning she was gone...only scattered feathers were left behind. I felt so bad, a predator must have got her in the night. But, just as I started to return to the house, I heard that growling-cackle! And there she was climbing out of the gully. I instantly ran to the back gate, opened it, then ran to get some chicken scratch. I sprinkled the scratch on the ground as I walked back into my yard. She followed me and must have liked it there, she lived there for two weeks. I was able to feed her daily and provided water and other goodies. Then, tragedy struck again...more feathers, but no hen. Where could she be? I searched all over the 2 acre property and beyond for some sort of clue, but, I found nothing. A week went by, then one day when I came home from work, my husband said I have a surprise for you. There she was in our dog crate. Apparently she ended up at a nearby property. The man that lived there said he caught her with a trap. She was in bad shape, bald patches and scratches all over. She was not able to walk, due to a leg injury. But here she is today, my little Riki Tiki Tavi, a whitehackle game hen.
He is a beauty! Good job! Persistence has paid off
