Bantam disappeared into thin air yesterday =(

[Wolf-Kim]

Silly birds!

I had a couple different flocks free ranging the yard and then on the way to pick the kids up from school, I notice a single pullet ALL the way up by the busy two way street. Hubby looks over at me "Was that one of your...?" I answered "Yes, yes it was.."

We went looking for her when we got home, no sign of her. The next day I spotted her again all the way up by the road, so I stopped immediately and cornered her. Drove home with her, ate like she was starved, covered in sandspurs, and slept under her heat lamp. Still hasn't left the stall! Guess the silly little thing learned her lesson!

So glad you found and was able to retrieve yours as well!

 

[HollyKMS]

Marty, actually, it's not so much a company as a guy and a few of his friends.. and I like the main guy very much. I did call and let him know we had her, this morning- left him a very appreciative/nice VM.

After careful consideration, I had given the LS guy a second (final) call yesterday late morning. I left an emotional (not btchy) VM message telling him that I was distraught re missing bird, thought he'd might've seen what direction she flew off in or something, was there anything he could tell me- that I just wanted my pet back & there'd be no questions asked, etc,

2 hrs later he called- was ridiculously kind and calm, considering. Absurdly nice, all things considered. I apologized for continuing to contact him, I was being silly because I was so upset.

He chuckled and said very calmly that he knew for a fact that chickens came back, they always came back, and I needed to stop worrying because he was sure she was show up again. He reassured me several times with great confidence.

I gushed how nice he was, thanked him, said I hoped he was right, and said I wouldn't bother him any more. I hung up w/ fingers crossed.

Less than an hour after we hung up, I got the call that the chicken was standing in the middle of the neighbor's front lawn in plain view. Once I had her in my arms, I noticed that she was dry. Even our pullets hanging out in their coop got a little damp yesterday, but not RIR. She was completely clean and dry after spending an overnight in cold drizzles?? I know they get in out of the rain but geez

I was just so ECSTATIC to have her back, I didn't really think about how it played out until later last night.

I don't think any of the LS guys came into our yard with the intention of stealing a chicken but maybe the opportunity presented itself and they figured I wouldn't miss her(?). I don't know. 'Just seems weird that she disappeared while they were in the yard and re-appeared less than an hour after he assured me with total confidence that I'd have her again. Maybe he figured she wasn't worth the trouble and just dropped her off near our house...

OR it could just be a HUGE WEIRD COINCIDENCE- which is why I was very careful the way I conducted both of my calls to him; I always kept in my mind that he & his guys very possibly had nothing to do with it, despite my nagging gut. (Guts aren't always right!)

I left him a gushingly thankful (& slightly self-depreciating) VM when I let him know we'd found her- an appropriate message either way.

It's over, I'll never know either way, and I'm just glad it all worked out with the result it did- she's home safely!

It was unwise of me to leave the birds out of the coop with someone going around with a leaf-blower anyway. I'll just keep them cooped on Thurs from now on, until after all that's done.

BTW RIR's acting a lot more submissive/meek than before all this happened. Not sure why. This is good- she's accepted being the lowest bird in the pecking order it seems, so they're jumping on her a lot less. I think by mid-week, I'll be able to let her roost & coop with them FT without fearing for her safety. They're all ranging in relative peace now.

All's well that ends well!

'Baby's back!!!

THANKS GUYS!!!

PS I NEVER AGAIN want to try to catch a frantic chicken in a hilly yard full of shrubs. Just kill me now.

'Ought to be an Olympic sport...

 

[Wolf-Kim]

My little pullet was wandering around in the rain for a day and a night, yet when I caught her, she was completely dry with only the exception of a couple of sand spurs.

I think you're just being your normal BYC chicken freak and overly suspicious and protective over our feathered friends. LOL

 

[froggie71]

Glad you found your girl! I know I'd be upset if I couldn't find one of our birds.

 

[HollyKMS]

Quote:
Very possible!

 

[Sillystunt]

OMG, i am totally crying right now! I read this thread and was so sad you couldn't find her. Then i saw you found her and tears started pouring out of my eyes.

DISCLAIMER** If you all tell anyone i cried.................

 

[onecent]

im so VERY HAPPY that you found your chicken!!!

 

[HollyKMS]

Quote:
For a minimal fee, I might be convinced to keep my mouth shut

THANKS everyone!

I love this site and the peeps on it <3 Everyone's so nice

 

[schellie69]

Glad u found her

I would cry like a baby if I lost any of mine. I think chickens are smarter then people think I am surprised that being that close to home she would not come home to roost I read that they always came home to the same roost so I am not sure but at least story has a happy ending.