Disappearing Chicken

[hrmalexandra]

Tonight one of my chickens disappeared - the other two (smaller) were still inside the run, door latched when I went to gather them. No signs of entry or struggle. The only thing I can think of is that there are natural divets in the grass creating a 1 or 2 inch dip below the edge of the run. Could my chicken (about 12" tall, adolescent healthy and round) have wiggled out? Do people steal urban chickens? Any answers?

Also, is it possible to get a lost chicken back? We did a search of bushes, trees, and fences around the house. Are they smart enough to come home? This is my first try at chickens and I seem to be screwing up royally.

 

[simplyscrambled]

Well, not urban, but suburban for me, and I just got a lost chicken back today! I couldn't find her yesterday at all. No signs that she had been taken by a predator of some sort with a tell tale of feathers. No loud clucking either was heard. My other two were in the run- however I let my 'free range' in the late afternoon.

I made a 'Missing Chicken' sign, with a pic I downloaded of the breed, and a reward of a dozen fresh eggs and posted it on the street sign pole. Within an hour, my neighbor, two houses down called, and said that yesterday, my awol chicken walked into his front yard, past him, and headed for his backyard!

So my advice is make a sign or two and don't give up hope yet! And some chickens do and can squeeze through gaps in the chicken run, if they're determined.

Good luck!

 

[aberfitch]

just depends Mabe someone took them but mabe they are hiding really quietly. it happened to me

 

[PunkinPeep]

Yeah, they're more flexible than they appear to be.

 

[hrmalexandra]

I found a bunch of yanked and chewed feathers this morning - does this story ever end well?

 

[PunkinPeep]

Oh no! So sorry!

 

[aberfitch]

same thing happened to me once. Missing roo. then one day found a whole bunch of fresh feathers.

 

[hrmalexandra]

Yeah, we found the "remains" the next afternoon. Thank you for all the advice and encouragement!

 

[montcapu]

so sorry