Chickens never came home

[Shelbye720]

Hi! First post here! This year we decided to get into the chicken hobby and it’s been quite a fun (and sad) adventure. My pullets have (or are close) to reaching egg laying maturity. They had been spending all their time in their coop and attached run. We live in the country on 5 acres, and last week decided to let them out during the day to roam. At first they did great, staying near their coop or at least within eyesight. After about a week of this, last Sunday they suddenly just vanished. We couldn’t find them anywhere! A few hours later they reappeared. 4 of the 6 appeared near the coop and I returned them to the coop. The other 2 I could see off in the distance, but we’re far enough away that I decided to just wait for them to come closer/return in the evening to roost. Well, they roamed off and never returned home! I’ve looked everywhere, and the neighbor checked her place. It’s been 2 nights now with no sightings. Should I just assume they’re gone to be coyote food? If I lost 2 within a week of free ranging should I even bother letting them out??? I love having them out and know it’s a natural risk but didn’t think it would happen this quickly.

 

[Shelbye720]

SUNNY! Is back home safe and sound this morning.
I went out all over calling and shaking the food can. She finally came running.
She got outside the fence. Mind you, 2:3 acres is fenced. A three board with "no climb" wire on the inside of that.
She was squawking and running back and forth to get back over but didn't want to give up her secret because I had to go and get her!
They all got scrambled eggs with shell and pureed carrot soup on top.
All are happy.
Don't give up hope. Keep looking and calling and shaking a food can so they can hear your voice and the food shaking.
Miracles DO Happen!!

You were right! Miracles DO happen!!! Today, 1 week later, my neighbor called me. One of my chickens was hanging out with her horses!!! So fat and happy. I can’t believe I got one back. Thank you so much for the encouragement!

 

[Vickischics]

SUNNY! Is back home safe and sound this morning.
I went out all over calling and shaking the food can. She finally came running.
She got outside the fence. Mind you, 2:3 acres is fenced. A three board with "no climb" wire on the inside of that.
She was squawking and running back and forth to get back over but didn't want to give up her secret because I had to go and get her!
They all got scrambled eggs with shell and pureed carrot soup on top.
All are happy.
Don't give up hope. Keep looking and calling and shaking a food can so they can hear your voice and the food shaking.
Miracles DO Happen!!

 

[Vickischics]

I LOVE IT when they come running!
They are so stinking cute running stiff legged. Lol

 

[RubelliteRose]

So sorry to hear about your girls and hoping they return home! I would suggest training the rest of your chickens to return to the coop when they hear a certain sound - ring a bell, blow a whistle, play a song, calling out a phrase... We started playing the Chicken Dance song every time we feed ours mealworms. We now play it whenever we want them back in the coop and they come running.

 

[Shelbye720]

Thank you! I do feel fortunate to get some of them back. I’ve been walking the woods and fields and have yet to find anything. Our other neighbors also have a coop off in the distance and checked to see if they decided to take refuge there instead, but they were not around. We had waited until they were laying and reached maturity to let them out, but perhaps they still have some growing up to do. For now, they have remained locked up.

 

[aembry1]

You were right! Miracles DO happen!!! Today, 1 week later, my neighbor called me. One of my chickens was hanging out with her horses!!! So fat and happy. I can’t believe I got one back. Thank you so much for the encouragement!

I'm so glad! I've been following your story and hoping they would come back!

 

[black_cat]

It may be a good idea to wait until your birds are full grown and less grab-able. It may have been a hawk, as they are most everywhere and will snatch birds without a trace. I would give my birds a fenced area to keep them more confined, with hawk netting over part of it.

 

[Vickischics]

I'm sorry to read about your missing girls. I too free range. Tonight, when I counted them I was missing one also. 5:6.
My King Shepard and I walked my 3 acres and not a trace. Boom vanished. No feathers anything. My neighbors do have chickens too but, they never have mixed.
But, it's nighttime so, I have hopes shes hunkered down out of the rain somewhere.
I'll go out in the morning to release the others and shake the food scoop while calling "Come on chic chic" as I do every morning.
I wish you luck that your girls are together and find their way home. Please keep us posted.
Keep trying to call them and shake that food can throughout the day.
Positive Vibes are being sent your way.

 

[few50704]

Thank you! I do feel fortunate to get some of them back. I’ve been walking the woods and fields and have yet to find anything. Our other neighbors also have a coop off in the distance and checked to see if they decided to take refuge there instead, but they were not around. We had waited until they were laying and reached maturity to let them out, but perhaps they still have some growing up to do. For now, they have remained locked up.

I have new pullets my first time as well. I’ve been wanting to let them out but had decided not to because I’m extremely paranoid about hawks, coyote, raccoons, fox, the list goes on... thank you for your post, it helped in the finale decision. So sorry about your feathered friends. We have a coop with an attached run as well so we are just going to stick with that.