Ok, here's the story, I live in an URBAN area next to two acres of woods for sale. I have a 12 week old pair of Cochins, a hen and a rooster. (So only 10 weeks into the chicken life) last week pulling out of my driveway, I could have sworn out of the corner of my eye I saw a black chicken, uhummm...crossing the road! , all the houses close to me have are not so animal friendly. my husband said I was crazy then today, he saw it at the end of the driveway and called me. I tried to approach it and it ran into the woods (ie mangroves). Haven't seen it since. Now what to do?? I threw some feed out where I saw it last. Is there a way to entice it to my coop? I am so worried about all the dogs, cats, hawks, raccoons, snakes etc. that I only let mine out when I can watch them. Can't believe this poor thing has survived with no shelter (for at least a week) There are plenty of Mosquitos, bugs and standing water in there and it looked scared. Should I be worried about disease? Any advise is appreciated, I just don't know what to do!!! Thanks peeps!!!
Should you manage to catch it, I'd definitely quarantine it from your existing flock until you're quite sure it's healthy. I'm sure chickens have the instincts to survive on their own for a good long time. My city has a few well documented feral populations that have survived for decades and the area is absolutely crawling with raccoons, possums, skunks and even coyotes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_Freeway_chickens
