chicken disappeared without a trace

[thechickenwhisperer24]

that is so great you found her! I want faverolles so bad.

 

[BenAnnaMama]

My Barred Rock disappeared today. She's been laying for about a week everyday and today she laid an egg and then disappeared. I checked in my neighbors yard... I listened for her... I never heard any commotion... No idea.

What's this about hens going broody and disappearing? I haven't heard of that... Are chickens smart enough to find their way back?

 

[auto5man]

 

[Tash76]

I’ve just had an adult laying Faverolle disappear off the face of this earth so I know what you mean, no way out, I’m confused, no trace

 

[Jedstar]

Might of started laying eggs and gone broody and is hiding somewhere.

 

[BDutch]

Many times I was missing a chicken at nightfall. Often I find them in a tree close to the run, on top of the run (close to the hedera ‘hedge’) or in the hedge but not always. The ones I didn't find always came back the next day but there were 2 exceptions:
My chickens panicked because the dog of our neighbour wanted to play with the chickens. 1 hen, my Ini mini flew over two hedges and landed at a fenced in garden. Without the panic she couldn’t fly back or find her way home. But luckily the neighbour posted a picture of her in the neighbour whatsapp group. And I could pick her up the next day.
Hen nr 2 disappeared without a sign and never came back. I didn’t let the chickens free range unsupervised after that for many days. A week later I spotted a buzzard , flying in circles above our house. Because I have tiny chickens this was probably the bad guy who killed my lavender Dutch ‘Pino’.
All together I think I was lucky having my first casualty after 6 years.

 

[Tash76]

Might of started laying eggs and gone broody and is hiding somewhere.

She came home, she was waiting outside the coop this morning I’m so happy

 

[BDutch]

@Tash76 maybe you should keep her locked up for a few days to prevent that she’s making a habit of sleeping outside. And watch where she is going around roosting time if you let her free range again.

 

[Tash76]

@Tash76 maybe you should keep her locked up for a few days to prevent that she’s making a habit of sleeping outside. And watch where she is going around roosting time if you let her free range again.

I wish I knew this sooner, she went missing not long after she came home, still trying to find her to lock her up

 

[Duckee]

FOUND!!!!!

I went out to look this morning - now that there is daylight and I can see - I kept hoping I would find her in the coop. You know - maybe she was in there the whole time and I just didn't see her. Nope. Only 5. Then I heard her yelling at me. But it was coming from up high. Yup, there she was, up in the tree behind our deck. I think she got up there and couldn't get down, so she just slept there all night. Of course, it rained all night so the poor baby is absolutely soaking wet. It took two of us to get her down. I had to pull the branches to get her a little closer, and my 6 foot tall husband stretched up and got her. And he chastised her in his best Ricky Ricardo impression: "Lucy! You got some 'splaining to do!"

Thanks everyone for all the good thoughts! Let's hope that is the last of chickens roosting in trees around here.

Im so happy your gal is okay
Maybe she will lay an egg for you soon as a rescue gift.