Hi, Thanks for allowing me to join. I have many questions regarding becoming a new chicken owner.

[New Chicken Daddy]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens and to the new experience of chicken keeping! She looks like a Brown Leghorn and I'd say she's not even a year old yet. Judging the tips of her comb, I think she may be dehydrated. I suggest getting her in a predator proof place instead of allowing her to sleep outside. If you can, I suggest getting her 1-2 (or more depending on space) friends to keep her company.

On a side note, does any of your neighbors have chickens? I would go around asking them if any of them lost a chicken.

Here's your avatar pasted here:

View attachment 3732040

Thanks for the input, I did water and feed her this morning,.. I'd agree that she is dehydrated, as she took to the water immediately and drank almost a cup.

I've looked around the 'hood,.. and I have decided not to bang on the door where I assume she came from, and my thinking is,.. it's been since September,.. there's a reason the chicken bolted from that place,.. and I dont necessarily disagree with her,.. I can see why?, lol

 

[-Chanticleer-]

She (I assume it's a she) is very timid,.. This morning I finally convinced her to allow me to be within a couple feet of her, but she's quite skiddish

I do not know how old it is,

I see her roosting in the trees and on the chainlink fencing.

I will build her an enclosure, but honestly, she has fended for herself for a few months, and I dont want to upset that.

There's plenty of cats, fox, skunk, raccoons, opossum, squirrel and even a coyote or two roaming the area (as seen on my game camera) even tho I live in a suburban area

I dont want to set her up for a faithful meeting with a predator?!

As long as she is high up in the trees they won’t be able to get to her. If you make an enclosure just be sure to make it predator proof. Also, you maybe able to get her to warm up to you if you offer her cracked corn or meal worms.

 

[Nomadicus]

Hello and Welcome to BYC. Glad to have you here in this poultry lovers community.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to explore and hang out.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
If you do enclose her, make sure you get her some friends. Chickens do NOT do well alone.

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC! Thanks for joining us.
If you decided to permanently keep her, building a secure coop and run is a must. It would also be wise to get her a friend or two, or more if you are able. She has some pale comb tips which is likely due to mild frostbite, but other than that she appears healthy.

 

[Jenbirdee]

welcome to byc! i once had a dog named henrietta. nice to meet you! i hope you follow the good advice thats been given. it would be awful if a predator got her. or if she froze (youre in maine?)

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[MamaPoult]

She's for sure a brown leghorn! Welcome!!

 

[MamaPoult]

She looks pretty young due to her yellow legs they will turn white when she gets old enough to lay eggs.