Hen Missing. Broody?

[Jimmy_WI]

One more thought I forgot to mention. This morning as I was laying in bed with the windows open I could hear my neighbors rooster crowing at 5a. Would one of my free range chickens wander off that far if she is sex linked? We are all on small hobby farms so it's difficult to say who's roosters they are but I can knock on some doors.

 

[jolly wattles]

One more thought I forgot to mention. This morning as I was laying in bed with the windows open I could hear my neighbors rooster crowing at 5a. Would one of my free range chickens wander off that far if she is sex linked? We are all on small hobby farms so it's difficult to say who's roosters they are but I can knock on some doors.

I would say it's very rare your hen would bolt to join another flock. She might try but doubt the neighboring roosters and top hens would welcome her without issue. Actually theres a chance she tried and was fatally injured. Could be a reason she disappeared. Do your neighbors free range too?

 

[Jimmy_WI]

I would say it's very rare your hen would bolt to join another flock. She might try but doubt the neighboring roosters and top hens would welcome her without issue. Actually theres a chance she tried and was fatally injured. Could be a reason she disappeared. Do your neighbors free range too?

Yes they do but we're in Hill country all separated by pretty thick woods. I've never seen any of their chickens anywhere close to our place but definitely feasible. I've driven past several neighbors with chickens in their yards free ranging but I'm not sure who has the roosters.

 

[jolly wattles]

Yes they do but we're in Hill country all separated by pretty thick woods. I've never seen any of their chickens anywhere close to our place but definitely feasible. I've driven past several neighbors with chickens in their yards free ranging but I'm not sure who has the roosters.

Hate to say it but she probably in chicken heaven. We never let our chickens free range without supervision. Just way too likely a attack would happen. I've tried to introduce new hens into our flock doing all the right things to no avail. Blood drawn in fights so had to return the hens. If we aren't around to supervise we lock them into their secure run. If we are home but not outside they have access to a 4 foot high fenced in open run.

 

[Jimmy_WI]

UPDATE: Tonight I was power washing my deck and had the hens out in the yard. As I went to put them in for the night I heard a ear piercing screech and looked up to see an incredibly massive golden eagle leaving its perch 75 yards from the coop. Think I have my culprit

 

[Kiki]

UPDATE: Tonight I was power washing my deck and had the hens out in the yard. As I went to put them in for the night I heard a ear piercing screech and looked up to see an incredibly massive golden eagle leaving its perch 75 yards from the coop. Think I have my culprit

Glad you found an "answer"..the "not knowing" is no fun.

 

[aart]

UPDATE: Tonight I was power washing my deck and had the hens out in the yard. As I went to put them in for the night I heard a ear piercing screech and looked up to see an incredibly massive golden eagle leaving its perch 75 yards from the coop. Think I have my culprit

Maybe....maybe not...definitely one to be aware of tho.
Many times a predator observed, or trapped, is not the one responsible for recent losses.

 

[chicklets81]

I had a 2 month old rooster that *refused* to go back into the coop a few months ago. I was running late for a meeting, so I didn't have time to chase. Usually, if any of the chickens get "locked out", they sit on the coop steps, and wait for me to open the door. I got home 2 hours later, and the rooster was not on the steps and nowhere to be found. He was never seen again. He was a bielefelder, so very large. No evidence of body, or feathers, or chicken cries for help anywhere. It can happen when you least expect it to.

 

[song of joy]

UPDATE: Tonight I was power washing my deck and had the hens out in the yard. As I went to put them in for the night I heard a ear piercing screech and looked up to see an incredibly massive golden eagle leaving its perch 75 yards from the coop. Think I have my culprit

It's possible, but even smaller raptors will take adult, large fowl chickens. I've lost a few hens over the years to Cooper's Hawks.

 

[AHoags]

I am also missing of my chickens under similar circumstances. I searched the threads for missing chicken and came across yours. Our 5-month-old chickens range on our three acres, and we check on them often. I went out after dinner to water the garden, and it was still day light. As usual, the chickens ran up to greet me...minus one. I began looking for her, as they sometimes like to hide under the porch, a large shrub, in the shed, etc. I put the other chickens (and our ducks) inside and combed the entire property for over an hour. I saw no trace of her, dead or alive. I even took a flashlight and looked along the brush lines between our property and the neighbors. I expected the worst, because she usually comes when I call. It's worth mentioning that we had two 10-week guinea fowl killed about a year ago at dusk (bite to the neck, one eaten on site, one simply killed). I realize that she probably isn't going to surface after two days missing, but I'm wondering what type of predator would leave absolutely no trace and attack in daylight with people nearby. I read the BYC predator article, which indicated that a fox, bobcat, or hawk could attack in daylight. I'm baffled, because it sounds as if most predators will at least leave behind some feathers that were lost in the struggle. If anyone can offer insight, I'd appreciate it.