Finding my hen - low temps tonight!

[Jenmay1226]

Hello,
I'm pretty sure that my hen is broody and has a secret nest on our property. Three days ago she didn't come back to the roost at dusk. She's been gone since and we've searched for hours every day. We live on several wooded, hilly acres and have been really worried about predators but haven't found any feathers. Tonight temps are supposed to drop to below 20 degrees and it started raining. Can she survive that? Any advice for looking for her?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The low temperatures shouldn't be a problem. Almost always a hen will make a nest in a covered area, they don't nest out in the open.

I have had many birds disappear without a trace, so don't rule out predation.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

If you are still trying to find her you could probably get her clucking and find her that way. Its not to hard to get a hen to start clucking. Just start clucking like a chicken and she should join you. If you can't cluck though you could try to get another hen to start clucking then she may answer, too.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! I do hope that your hen returns, because I agree with Old Hen about the other alternative. If she's really hiding, it's hard to find the spot. Looking during the day will be better, and good luck!
Mary

 

[Sunshine Flock]

If you are still trying to find her you could probably get her clucking and find her that way. Its not to hard to get a hen to start clucking. Just start clucking like a chicken and she should join you. If you can't cluck though you could try to get another hen to start clucking then she may answer, too.

That's a great suggestion.

When I cough around my rooster, he starts mad clucking, and when he mad clucks the dogs start howling and the hens mad cluck in sympathy. It's quite the riot.

So if a hen goes missing, I'll elicit Henry's services and cough and see if I can lure her out of the woods with a bunch of mad clucks and howls.

I do hope you find your girl. Please keep us posted.

 

[N F C]

Have you found your hen yet?

 

[Jenmay1226]

Still no luck. Will look for her (Jo Jo) more this afternoon in the daylight. Woke up to my daughter's Christmas list today.

 

[N F C]

View attachment 1214803 Still no luck. Will look for her (Jo Jo) more this afternoon in the daylight. Woke up to my daughter's Christmas list today.

So sweet...hope you find your girl!