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Hen went missing, molting, 20 degrees tonight

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by RuffledFeathers, Dec 6, 2009.

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  1. Dec 6, 2009 #1
    RuffledFeathers

    RuffledFeathers Out Of The Brooder

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    I let my flock free-range on the weekend, as usual, but as the sun set, we were missing 3 chickens. We found one rooster over the fence, and after searching the surrounding woods and neighbor's yards, we found our Cochin hiding in the garage. The only bird still missing is my Sicilian Buttercup, who is in the middle of a sudden, full molt. She is just getting pin feathers back, but they have not fluffed out yet, and she was shivering during the day. The temps have been 35 for a high and down to the low 20's at night.
    Since we saw no signs of an attack, I'm thinking she just got too cold and hunkered down somewhere. Could she possibly survive? Buttercups are very small chickens and not heavily feathered to start out with, and in the state she's in now, I have a bad feeling about this!
    Poor girl! She looked so miserable, but she decided not to stay inside, and I have no other ideas on where to look for her :-(
     
  3. Dec 6, 2009 #2
    miss.eggonomics

    miss.eggonomics Out Of The Brooder

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    ft. smith
    i really hope you find her soon! [​IMG]
     
  5. Dec 6, 2009 #3
    redhen

    redhen Kiss My Grits... Premium Member

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    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  7. Dec 6, 2009 #4
    sonew123

    sonew123 Poultry Snuggie

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    Im sorry Im going through the same thing right now. my 7 month old bantam cochin MC is the sweetest best feathered girl. Loves to be loves and held-she just dissappeared today. She ALWAYS run with the same group sleeps in the same spot everynight for the past 4 months but as the sun was setting adn I was doing head counts I noticed her bed spot was empty-the hunt began but turned up nothing-no blood-no feathers zip. They free range during the days too so SHe was there this am but not at bed time 6 hours later...I feel your pain and hope you find her [​IMG]
     
  9. Dec 6, 2009 #5
    eenie114

    eenie114 Completly Hopeless

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    Southwestern Washington State
    Thats really sad! I got some chickens from a friend, 6 hens, 2 roosters, and only two hens and the roosters stuck around.[​IMG] They would stay in the neighbors corn field to the north, and one by one just... didn't come home. [​IMG][​IMG] There was one hen, she was pure white, and had a pale pink rose comb, and blue-green feet. Anyone know what she was? It doesn't really matter, but I'd like to know.
     
  11. Dec 6, 2009 #6
    Happy Chooks

    Happy Chooks Moderator Staff Member

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    My Coop
    I hope she does alright through the night.[​IMG]

    I too have a buttercup in full molt, and she stayed in the coop most of the day. I gave her warm oatmeal this morning hoping it would help her get warm.
     
  13. Dec 6, 2009 #7
    ole-crone

    ole-crone Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Northern Utah - little siberia
    We also have some chickens in full molt - it's 4 degrees here tonight. I brought one in because the other were pecking at her. Hope you gal is ok - I think Chickens are more durable than we give them credit for - so here's some good thoughts coming your way that you find her tomorrow - happily pecking away at something.
     
  15. Dec 7, 2009 #8
    Happy Chooks

    Happy Chooks Moderator Staff Member

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    Did you find her this morning?

    I found my buttercup on the roost this morning snuggled between my BR and Light Brahma. I think their abundance of feathers kept her toasty warm.
     
  17. Dec 7, 2009 #9
    WriterofWords

    WriterofWords Has Fainting Chickens

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    Was wondering if she showed up???
     
  19. Dec 7, 2009 #10
    Ernie

    Ernie Out Of The Brooder

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    Aug 19, 2009
    Seattle, WA
    Wondering the same. Hope you were able to find her A-OK.
     
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