Do you free range? It could be just because of the daylight hours going down as well. Thats what happened with my flock of EEs last year.
We were till one of golden comets was killed. I'm now afraid. We think she was grabbed by a hawk but not sure. All I found was a bunch of feathers.
I don't think so, since we have been keeping them cooped up.
Then, its probably the time of year. Last year, I added a few additions to the flock (10). They were supposed to start laying in Sept. but because the daylight hours were decreasing, they ended up not laying very many. Some young pullets lay through winter, but all 10 I got did not. Although it is odd to get one egg and then no more, it should not be an issue to worry about as long as they are acting fine. You may or may not get eggs this winter.
Should we let them out again? They seem to all be ok. I just hate to lose another one.
Thats a broad question. I free range, with little to no losses. But thats because I watch my birds and I am almost always home. If I were not home, I do not like to let them out. Again, everyone is different. I know the birds in my area, I know the 4 legged and the 2 legged. I have pretty much seen what can be seen here. I know who comes out when and what should not be out when. I know the seasons where animals are out and the seasons when they are not. I know the aerial predators and their schedules (which can vary). I focus on the schedules of the animals here, plainly just to be safer with my flock. Since you do not know what got to your pullet, I would not let then out without supervision, because there will be a risk to free ranging. And unless losses are okay with you, its better to be safe.
We never let out when we weren't home. And I regularly checked in them. Our windows were open and never heard anything.
I almost never hear anything either. Usually when an attack is about to occur, I see it, not hear it. For example, I am extra careful during the aerial predator's "lunch break". Which is usually around noon to afternoon. I have seen, quite a few times, when hawks or vultures roost on a tree near the coop or dive down toward the chickens. I do not trust my cockerels. They just do not seem to be enough (in my case that is). If I ever see a hawk or hear one, I look out. Its either flying or perched near the chickens, I run out and make a ton of noise (any way I want). That does the trick.
