HELP! My hen is missing!

[CHIC]

Well, I think I really learned my lesson about buying full grown birds. I don't think I will go that route again. I like to hand raise them so that they know me and know home.

 

[Barn Maid Ann]

Quote:
I got two EE's on a trade, once. They took a long time to acclimate. Mine free range, and these two apparently had never been out of a coop. It took weeks for them to go out into the daylight, even. Then they stayed so close to the coop, any little disturbance and back in they ran. The other chickens picked on them. Then finally, after winter and well into the next summer, I noticed that they were hanging with the other chickens more and more. And finally they were totally integrated and acted just like the others, roaming and foraging. I would say it took a total of 8 or 9 months to get to that point. I no longer have that flock, but those EE's were my best layers, even at 3 years of age!
They looked similar to yours.

 

[CHIC]

Ok, it's been more than a month now and she has not laid the first egg! What am I supposed to do? At this point, if I'm not getting any eggs from her I might as well sell her. She is crazy if you even get near her and is not nice to my other chickens. Any suggestions?

 

[TLee]

CHIC - I'm so disappointed to get to the end of your story! It was gripping . . . from the first post where she disappeared (thanks mom!) to finding the feathers, to the night roosting . . . my guess is that she is very traumatized by being in the coop. While not recommended, if you live in the right climate (warm) your hens can successfully live outside. My aunt in Florida has 8 hens and 3 roosters - all of whom live outside and roost in trees at night. They have avoided the raccoons for 4 years now . . . but they lay eggs all over the place which invite the raccoons. The purpose of the ramble is this: if you live in a warm climate - and your hen lived for a month on her own - maybe she belongs loose? If its too cold (like where I am in New England) then that wont work. If you want to keep her, is there a way to keep her separated from the flock while they are confined? Do you have an outdoor run? Keep her separate - keep feed and water regular - dont fuss with her and maybe a regular routine will bring her around. Good luck.

 

[CHIC]

She does have an outdoor run. And it is too cold to let her loose. I don't want her to be all alone... I think she will get lonely.

 

[CHIC]

Ok, so this freeloader still hasn't laid a single egg! I am really getting annoyed with her.