Chicken behavior? How about MY behavior?? Where's that forum?

[Jeffross1968]

So, does anyone else freak out when they don't see one of their chickens for a while? I mean, I know I've only been at this nearly 2 months. But when I want to put eyes on my chickens...they best form a line and be counted! Always seems to be one of my nutcase, skittish Brown Leghorns. I head out, take a count. Someone is missing. "Why is she not right here", I ask myself. "Where could she be?"

The idea that I live on an acre or so of completely wooded land in the Smoky Mountains means nothing! I want to know where my chicken is!!! I walk the perimeter over and over. Nothing. I head up and down the mountain...will I see signs of a struggle? Will there be blood? C'mon Mildred, you just laid your first egg a couple days ago...don't do this!!!

Then, of course, I return from scouring most of western NC only to find her happily bathing in the dirt behind the house.

This whole chicken owning thing is driving me to drink...

 

[yinepu]

Oh yeah.... I can relate.. we were having predator issues with the free rangers.. to the point where we were losing one or two birds a night (and for a few nights several of the young birds).. so every morning I would do a head count.. see who was missing and who wasn't.. I have two mixed breed mutt black hens that are usually the last to show up.. I never can find where they roost.. so I am always scanning the trees looking for them.. and sure enough when I have my back turned they will be at the feed pan looking at me like I am an idiot.. I will be soo glad when the new coop and run are done and they can start getting locked up!
Luckily we haven't had any losses for a while now.. but I still do the head count just to be sure

 

[TwoCrows]

I don't even free range, but have them in a secured garden area of 600 sq feet and I lose a bird all the time!! Then I am in panic mode until I finally find her hiding somewhere where I can't see her. So I don't now how you all handle the thought of losing a bird free ranging. ( I have a serious hawk problem here so free ranging is just not going to happen). But I can believe that it does get your heart pounding and the fear factor up.

Oh, and I love the title to this one...."How about MY behavior?? Where is that forum?"

 

[Jeffross1968]

Oh god, I don't know what I'll be like if we eventually lose a bird to a predator. I'll probably have them all gps chipped and place security cameras all around the property. Can you use invisible fence with chickens? They must not leave the property!!!

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote:
I don't think the invisible fencing works with chickens as they can fly over and such. Is there anyway you can fence off a section for day time use? I know it is not cheap to put up fencing, but for me, my babies are worth it. I just could not handle losing one of them to a predator.

 

[Jeffross1968]

Quote:
I don't think the invisible fencing works with chickens as they can fly over and such. Is there anyway you can fence off a section for day time use? I know it is not cheap to put up fencing, but for me, my babies are worth it. I just could not handle losing one of them to a predator.

Oh no, I'd have to clip wings and stuff. They are actually very good at staying close. It's just the occasional walkabout that drives me batty. I figure that if I'm going to have a predator, no little fenced in area is going to stop them during the day. I just have to suck it up and make sure to keep a good supply of tequila on hand...

 

[LadyAndHerPeeps]

Quote:
I always catch myself doing a head count ,pass me one of those drinks,LOL

 

[Roccomanchickens]

I also count "heads" every night when they get put in the barn. I lost one the other day and found it under the chicken coop. She had squeezed into a small space and couldn't get out. Seems they are doing anything they can to get out of this TERRIBLE heat. I blocked the opening so she can't do that again.

 

[chickenbythesea]

I do head counts even when I'm sitting in the run with them...we live on a hill and the ground in their run is uneven... so I worry that we've missed a spot and that they're going to escape on me (their only 4 weeks and fast as all get out!). I usually panic when I can't find one but have caught on to the fact that they like to hide under their ramp.... there are day when I think my heart will stop from all the worry and constant vigilance. I can hardly wait until they're big enough to fend for themselves... in a covered run of course!

 

[7&8]

Quote:
I don't think the invisible fencing works with chickens as they can fly over and such. Is there anyway you can fence off a section for day time use? I know it is not cheap to put up fencing, but for me, my babies are worth it. I just could not handle losing one of them to a predator.

worth. every. penny. Google, "electric poultry netting"