Hens Missing During Blizzard

[scattermydreamsoflight]

This is the first real snow these 8 month old chickens have experienced. It came on rather suddenly and heavy. They've been having difficulty past week returning to the coop at nightfall (due to season change and the coop getting dark too quick. We since added lights inside, but they still struggle). They free roam during day. Coop is open and lighted for them to enter whenever.

This blizzard came really hard and fast. It's very windy and wet and heavy. It got especially bad right as it started getting dark.

My younger flock made it to the coop at their normal time.

The older flock (they've always had more issues returning to their coop) was not returning to coop. I gave them some time, checked in an hour, and 2/6 had made it into coop. The rooster for this group and 1 hen were on our porch. I manually grabbed these two and brought them into coop. But there are 2 hens who are missing!

I know for a fact one of these hens was near the coops just an hour or two ago. Not sure about the other. But now they are both missing. We have searched high and low with flashlights but it's so windy and snowy and wet, it is difficult to see. They seemingly disappeared!

I'm so worried and am hoping they will show up in the morning

I should have grabbed them all and forced them into the coop before dark, but I didn't think they would have this hard of a time. I didn't realize this blizzard would get so bad so quick!

They free roam about 1-2 acres, and can 'see' the light of their coop from where the rooster and 1 hen were found. I have to assume their hiding somewhere, sheltering, and we cannot locate them.

Any advice or guidance? thank you

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
I hope you can find them tomorrow, or that they return in daylight.
Can you keep them in for a few days? Why are some of your adults wanting to stay outside at night? Some problem with your coop, feeders or waterers, or previous predator events? Usually it's the youngsters who lag coming inside, not the older birds.
Our coop/ covered run is large enough to keep everyone inside, for weeks if necessary, because sometimes it is necessary to keep them safe.
Difficult weather events would be a reason to keep the birds in, and I hope you haven't lost anyone over this. Might be a predator involved with this...
Mary

 

[scattermydreamsoflight]

Welcome!
I hope you can find them tomorrow, or that they return in daylight.
Can you keep them in for a few days? Why are some of your adults wanting to stay outside at night? Some problem with your coop, feeders or waterers, or previous predator events? Usually it's the youngsters who lag coming inside, not the older birds.
Our coop/ covered run is large enough to keep everyone inside, for weeks if necessary, because sometimes it is necessary to keep them safe.
Difficult weather events would be a reason to keep the birds in, and I hope you haven't lost anyone over this. Might be a predator involved with this...
Mary

Thank you! Yes, they can be kept in for a few days.

Not returning to their coop because they are a bit confused by light changes, I think. I had some red christmas lights strung up in their coops as a 'night light' but had taken them down as they were falling apart. I replaced them with a different light (more orange than red). With the season change/sun setting in a different spot and a similar looking red light by our porch, they were confused. IDK exactly, but they seem uncertain of their coop now because of these lighting changes. We are going to replace the red light by our porch tomorrow in an effort to help the confusion...

Their food is kept near their coop, as is one waterer. Another waterer is placed closer to our house.

I apologize -- younger flock is probably misleading. They are all adults. I'm not sure why the younger flock has less trouble, as I changed the lights in both coops. Each flock has a different rooster, with very different personalities. It seems like my older groups' rooster is not leading them to the coop on time, before it gets too dark.

I really don't think a predator is in play just given our area, the weather, and our dog, but it is always a possibility. I'm thinking they got spooked/confused and are hiding somewhere we can't find.

 

[nanobooboo]

Where are you located? I know here in the Northern Tier of PA (NEPA) the sunset is quite dramatic now, today it was 4:37! It definitely sneaks up on you. Hopefully your second flock hunkered down with their rooster. He must have missed the time change. I know this year's seems to be more brutal than usual. Ready for bed at 7:00 isn't really cutting it. Birds have a great sense when it comes to stopping at dusk. They've probably been asleep under a bush for hours. Wishing you some happy hungry clucking when the sun comes up.