Hen in bushes questions

[Gp_mckenna]

So last night i had a huge scare, my little girl gidget went missing shes a 22 week old easter egger after calling her name and crying for 2 hours i found her hiding in a bush? I looked back at the cameras and they were all together and i seen her go off in the corner to the area i found her hiding. What makes them hide in bushes?? Her comb is getting red and was showing a little bit of interest in the nesting boxes but not much so i thought maybe she was going there to lay an egg but no egg was found. Is this normal? Would she have stayed there over night? It was getting dark when i found her. Would she have come to the coop the next morning? Stayed there forever till i found her? Also if she hides again will that be her go to place? So many questions im new to having chickens and ive read so much but this situation has me so confused as she would go off from everyone to hide in a bush. Im not sure if she realized she was alone and go scared so she just stayed there or what but has anyone else gone thru this?

 

[Mrs. K]

To prevent this, try and get down to the coop, a little before they come in, call "here chick, chick" or something else goofy and shake scratch in a bucket. Throw it on the ground inside the run/coop. This will teach everyone to come running, with that sound.

I am wondering if she just got confused as to where to go, and just hunkered down. Watch carefully and see if anyone is harassing her. She might be close to laying, and sometimes that does seem to decrease their thinking, they kind of want to be alone. Most animals do leave the herd or flock to give birth or lay. But as you noted, they kind of practice, several days before they really do it.

And no, this won't be her go to place. Yes, she might have showed up in the morning if nothing got her in the night. I have had that happen, it is always a good feeling. Usually they are very happy to get back with the other girls. It might be a good idea, to leave them in the coop/run for a couple of weeks, just to get everyone laying in the nests you want. If you get the first two or three to lay in the nests, the rest generally will too.

Mrs K

 

[Gp_mckenna]

To prevent this, try and get down to the coop, a little before they come in, call "here chick, chick" or something else goofy and shake scratch in a bucket. Throw it on the ground inside the run/coop. This will teach everyone to come running, with that sound.

I am wondering if she just got confused as to where to go, and just hunkered down. Watch carefully and see if anyone is harassing her. She might be close to laying, and sometimes that does seem to decrease their thinking, they kind of want to be alone. Most animals do leave the herd or flock to give birth or lay. But as you noted, they kind of practice, several days before they really do it.

And no, this won't be her go to place. Yes, she might have showed up in the morning if nothing got her in the night. I have had that happen, it is always a good feeling. Usually they are very happy to get back with the other girls. It might be a good idea, to leave them in the coop/run for a couple of weeks, just to get everyone laying in the nests you want. If you get the first two or three to lay in the nests, the rest generally will too.

Mrs K

I was thinking that too with her getting closer to laying thats the only thing that makes sense when i seen her go off alone. Everyone gets along nobody gets bullied and i always go out there before the sun even starts to set to bring them in. I call girls and they all always come running to me in the coop while inscatter food in the ground for them. I noticed she was gone 2 hours before sun went down so I do think her body is getting ready to lay and she was just finding a comfy spot to practice her nesting maybe shes just smart and knew she had time before the sun set. Just happy i found her with it getting cold at night already. Silly girl ill have to keep a close eye on her now❤ thank you!