Hen got da jungle fever... What do?

[konachicks]

Here's the punk that keeps trying to woo my girls

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Ummm looks like s Black Breasted Game to me. You know what they say don't you?

Once you go Black Breasted Game you never go back.

 

[andreanar]

He's awful handsome! Lol

 

[Chickie Mama]

Sounds like you have a Romeo and Juliet type situation. I have a few roosters and my hens tend to pick their favorite and stick with him, for the most part. If yours likes the wild one, then she'll keep roosting with him. Fortunately, in my experience, chickens/roosters tend to be "love the one you are with" types, so if you confine her with the rest of your flock she should be fine. Doesn't sound like you live in an area that will accommodate free rangers.

On the other hand, our domesticated Turkey and ducks attract wild ones to our farm every year! Maybe that could happen to you? Perhaps the wild chickens will see that you've got a nice little bed and breakfast kinda thing going. You could find that one day you have some free-loaders.

 

[3ChickensNADuck]

Why bother? If your hen doesn't start laying eggs in the nesting box and you can't find her eggs. She's just another mouth to feed. I'd eat her before she runs away. Unless that other roosters flock joins yours, my recommendation would be dinner. You can't go wrong with a full stomach.

 

[PunaStyle]

Ok, here's an update on the situation... After being confined for 3 days and nights, I saw Grumpy (runaway hen) looking very intent on being with her sisters. I let her out, and since then she seems to have fully rejoined the flock.
It probably helped that I chased off the offending rooster. My dog sent his flock scrambling and squawking, and since then he has yet to come across to our side of the road. Success!
As an added bonus, a random wild hen showed up as well, foraging alongside my much larger barred rocks and ameraucanas. Not sure if she defected from the wild rooster's harem or just came out of the blue. She loves the coconuts I give out to my birds, not to mention the layer pellets every morning.

As far as the egg situation, so far all 3 ameraucanas are laying dependably in the nest box, and I found that at least one of my barred rocks was laying an a random 5 gallon bucket in my house (under construction). Made a new box that I'll be putting close to the barred rock bucket.

Here's some pics!

Close up of my Sussex boy.

The top 2 hens are the wild ones that have been hanging around.

Da whole flock!

 

[Spangled]

Am happy to hear good news!

Thanks for the update.