I'm new here at BYC and new to raising backyard chickens. I'm super-excited and have already fallen in love with my little trio. I grew up around chickens as a young girl. My grandmother always had a large flock and my brother raised gamecocks. I am far from a young girl anymore and have only recently (in my fifty-somethingth year) decided to have my own chickens. I am learning daily and I look forward to learning from you all. When I bought my first three chickens, I got a rooster and two hens. The very first day I brought them home I confined them to a coop for the entire day and about 1 hour before dark I let them out (advise from the man I bought them from) I was assured that they would return to the coop but the hens wandered off into the woods. I tried to catch them for three days. On the second day, I found a small wad of feathers. 
On the third day I actually saw a red fox chasing the remaining hen. I scared the fox away and spent the entire day trying to catch the hen to no avail. I alerted all my neighbors that I had hens on the loose and that a fox was after them. But I never saw the hens again. I failed them. I was very sad. I named my roo that day, he was "Lonesome George" because his girls were gone. So I kept Lonesome George in the coop during the day, and brought him in the house at night to sleep in a large wire dog crate. I got a friend to help me build a run for him. He was happy to be out of the coop. He was still alone though. So after three weeks, I finally found two "rescue" hens. One was what I believe is a Light Sussex from a petting zoo, and the other I was told is a Yellow Buff. Lonesome George wasn't lonesome any more. So now he is just called George. His ladies are Marilyn and Betty. (after Marilyn Monroe & Betty Page) I saw a fox in the yard again the other day so I went today and bought more fence posts, chicken wire, etc. to reinforce the run. I hope I don't fail these girls and George again. Sooooo....that's why I joined the BYC forum...I have a lot to learn from yall. And I thank you in advance for any advice you offer.
On the third day I actually saw a red fox chasing the remaining hen. I scared the fox away and spent the entire day trying to catch the hen to no avail. I alerted all my neighbors that I had hens on the loose and that a fox was after them. But I never saw the hens again. I failed them. I was very sad. I named my roo that day, he was "Lonesome George" because his girls were gone. So I kept Lonesome George in the coop during the day, and brought him in the house at night to sleep in a large wire dog crate. I got a friend to help me build a run for him. He was happy to be out of the coop. He was still alone though. So after three weeks, I finally found two "rescue" hens. One was what I believe is a Light Sussex from a petting zoo, and the other I was told is a Yellow Buff. Lonesome George wasn't lonesome any more. So now he is just called George. His ladies are Marilyn and Betty. (after Marilyn Monroe & Betty Page) I saw a fox in the yard again the other day so I went today and bought more fence posts, chicken wire, etc. to reinforce the run. I hope I don't fail these girls and George again. Sooooo....that's why I joined the BYC forum...I have a lot to learn from yall. And I thank you in advance for any advice you offer.
and Welcome To BYC! Sorry for your losses, good luck with the rest of the flock.
