Do scattered chickens return?

[Silkiehoarder]

Greetings all. This is my first post but I have been keeping chickens for several years. Until today, I was raising a flock of 19 silkies (hatched Jan 2019) and one disgruntled frizzled Cochin. My chickens have been free ranging near their coop with plenty of protected spaces for the last two months. Today, while our family was away, something attacked my chickens. We found feather explosions of all different types and our neighbor said he saw three large birds, presumably hawks, most likely Harris hawks, by our coop. I have three silkies left this evening. Here is my question: based on the residues found, we do not think the hawks attacked and removed all 16 chickens (both roosters and hens) that are missing. If my remaining chickens scattered in fright, will they return and how could I help them come home? I walked our acreage (7.5 acres in the flat plains of west Texas) calling my chickens as soon as we realized what happened, but got no response. The attack occurred in the middle of the day in a small open pasture. I welcome any advice you might have on recovering any chickens that have run.

 

[Shadrach]

Greetings all. This is my first post but I have been keeping chickens for several years. Until today, I was raising a flock of 19 silkies (hatched Jan 2019) and one disgruntled frizzled Cochin. My chickens have been free ranging near their coop with plenty of protected spaces for the last two months. Today, while our family was away, something attacked my chickens. We found feather explosions of all different types and our neighbor said he saw three large birds, presumably hawks, most likely Harris hawks, by our coop. I have three silkies left this evening. Here is my question: based on the residues found, we do not think the hawks attacked and removed all 16 chickens (both roosters and hens) that are missing. If my remaining chickens scattered in fright, will they return and how could I help them come home? I walked our acreage (7.5 acres in the flat plains of west Texas) calling my chickens as soon as we realized what happened, but got no response. The attack occurred in the middle of the day in a small open pasture. I welcome any advice you might have on recovering any chickens that have run.

Hello Silkiehoarder.
Welcome to BYC.
Sorry to read about the loss of your chickens.
Generally if they are coming back they return that evening for the safety of the coop and food. Unless you can find the missing chickens there isn't anything I can think of that will encourage them to return if they are still alive except your presence outside if they know you well enough.

 

[cmom]

I would put up a game camera if you have one. Most likely the predators will be back. I have a treat bucket and when I go out and call the birds they know that I have treats and come running. I'm not free ranging now because of a loss a few months ago while free ranging but my birds have nice large pens and I do give them greens. If I'm out working on the coops I will let them out, but the past few months (breeding season for most critters) I have seen more predators during the day.

 

[Silkiehoarder]

We are moving in the next week so I’m not concerned about the predator in that sense. I’ve secured my remaining chickens, called repeatedly for the lost ones and opened their old coop so if they return they can get in. Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it.

 

[cmom]

They may be hiding somewhere. I was surprised how many predators roam around here at night, most nights I get one on one of the game cameras.

 

[cmom]

Here we have a lot of coyotes. Here are a couple of pictures from last night. What looks like lights on, are other cameras the coyotes have set off.

This one is hard to see but there is a coyote almost in the middle of the picture.