Chicken disappears then returns days later?

[Petsforme]

Hi everyone, I wonder if any of you have had a hen that disappears then returns
home only to leave again. This is a 5yr. old polish hen never been broody
that was not in the hen house Sun. Eve. I figured something got her
while she was free ranging. Then tonight she returns for an hour and off
she goes again into the woods. She has always free ranged on our
land. Anyone heard of this?

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Maybe she is finally decided she's ready to be a "mommy"?

-Kim

 

[arlee453]

I'd follow her next time - sounds like she has a nest somewhere she's brooding.

If you find her nest, you may want to consider moving her and the eggs to a safer place for the remainder of the incubation time...

 

[Petsforme]

I never thought that she would be broody? I'll try and follow her next time. I just hope
she comes back and nothing gets her out there!

 

[Ron]

working a second job to make ends meet????

 

[Ron]

Should have read: Maybe working a second job to make ends meet?????

 

[rooster-red]

She's sitting on eggs somewhere

 

[jemagsy]

I had a hen run off for six days and then come back... since there wasn't a rooster around I "locked her up." She still isn't happy about it almost a week later, but she's doing terrific with our 8 week old roo & pullet.

I have no idea where she went but I imagine she had a nest she was trying to protect.

 

[Petsforme]

Thanks for your help. I found "Polly" sitting by
our wood pile on 16 eggs!!!!! She is in the chicken
coop now with her eggs but she not real happy.
She has never been broody before and being 5year
old crested polish I didn't know she start now?

 

[chickenwoods]

LOL Ron, the idea of a hen working a second job to make ends meet ,makes me Roll on the floor!!!!!!!