hiding/scared chicken?

[M and J]

Yesterday our neighbor's dogs got out of their fenced yard and were back by our chicken coop and free range area which is fenced with a low fence - I was home at the time and heard some clucking, went outside and chased the dogs away. Unfortunately, one of our 3 chickens is now missing. I didn't see the dogs run off with a chicken and there was no mess of feathers or sign of any attack - so we are hopeful that she is just scared and in hiding, the other two girls are o.k. other than they look a little lost. We are surrounded by neighbors on each side but we also have some wooded area between us and the neighbors behind us. We have searched and clucked and called for her and were hoping that maybe she would just show up this morning.

Questions:

If she is hiding or scared, how long might she stay hidden?

And also how far might a scared chicken run from home?

 

[devora]

Oh, I'm sorry that happened. How old are the birds? If they are very well-trained in roaming and returning she might come back.

She could roam, esp. if she's now foraging for food.

Good luck. I lost a Polish this year b/c she got confused so I know what the waiting is like.

 

[M and J]

Yes!!! We found our Rosie (New Hampshire Red) two streets down from ours with the help of animal control and the person who caught her (who also has chickens)!

We thought we were the only ones around our area that had chickens... but through our exploring the nearby streets searching for Rosie we have found that many of our neighbors (a street or two over) also have chickens.

 

[memphis]

Glad you found her! Sounds like she had quite the adventure.

 

[devora]