Hen suddenly lost

[starrmar006]

I have a hen that was free ranging with the flock when I noticed she was gone, we don't have very many predictors the last time I had a hen go missing like this was 4 or 5 years ago because I have big dogs, I was wondering if anyone has had a hen go missing and come back with chicks and what the hen did before she went missing, I know my hen stopped laying and wanted to be outside more often like the other hens and when I looked outside she was with the other hens she had been broody this year before and I was also wondering if a hen can become broody twice??

 

[Bantambuff]

Hens can become broody many times. My hen got broody three times this year. I've only read of hens disappearing and then coming back with chicks. My chickens don't free range, so I don't know much about that subject.
Hope this helps!

 

[cmom]

I live rural. I don't let my birds free range unless I'm working out around the coops and pens because of a fox several years ago that killed some of my birds during the day. My birds all have nice big pens. Most of the pens are 20' x 60'.

 

[starrmar006]

Hens can become broody many times. My hen got broody three times this year. I've only read of hens disappearing and then coming back with chicks. My chickens don't free range, so I don't know much about that subject.
Hope this helps!

I hope she is just broody but of she is the weather o e here whont cool down for a while we had 100 degree weather the past few days and I'm scared she is going to die on the nest

 

[Birdsong 82]

I’m sure you have so I know this is silly question but have you checked bushes small places she may be hiding in your yard or around the area? When they go Brody I’ve heard they still get up to eat and drink and she knows where her food and water would be. I’ve never had one the party and I’ve heard of people having for broody chickens that left and came back. I always had assumed that the Brody chickens would sit where they lay their eggs.

 

[starrmar006]

I have a LOT of looking to do 4 acres if nothing but forest

 

[cmom]

Do you have a special call for your birds? I do for mine and when they hear it they usually come running, mainly because it usually means treats. My birds have a few acres to roam but it is pasture. My birds really don't wonder to far from the coops, but our land is fairly open (pasture). There is more shade in their pens. I leave the gates open so they can go in and out, but during the hot days they would rather be in the shade. Good luck...

 

[starrmar006]

I do and when I tried to call her she never came

 

[starrmar006]

Does anyone know if you can hear the chicks when they hatch, I know you can hear them in all but will I be able to hear them in the forest where.

 

[RWise]

For sure the predators can hear them! I am not so sure you could hear them and if momma sees/hears you, she may keep them silent.
My birds free range all day, and sometimes hide a nest, and they are not easily found. I feed just before dusk, and the broodies will usually show up for that. (no pans full of food setting about) Good luck finding her and her nest if she is still alive.
I have found nests under cars, under the home in the crawl space, in a fire pit, on the front porch in a plant, a 5 gallon bucket laying on its side, a 55 gallon drum on its side (open on one end), in an old unused coop, under the feather plucker, even just out on the open ground, bushes, weeds, and many other places. The last one was under the rabbit hutch,,,yep right there in the poo,,,,,