How long????

[ashlierami]

Yesterday 2 dogs came into my yard while my birds were free ranging for the afternoon. They chased them and of course scared my flock to death. I ran the dogs off and cannot find 2 of my birds. How long will they hide for? This happened about 4 yesterday and the 2 missing never came to roost and this morning still no sign of them. My flock is still acting spooked but overall they are back to normal. Could they turn up? I've searched and called for them but nothing. I know they weren't taken by the dogs or something because the dogs left empty handed. I seen these 2 run but I had 12 others running wild so I couldn't see where they went. One is a 9 week old chick her mother has weaned her so she is no help in calling for her and the other is a 5 month old roo. My other birds have been crowing and talking amongst themselves I was hoping this would encourage them to come out of hiding.

 

[cavemanrich]

Chickens do respond to the noises of other chickens. They very well may return,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, unless another predator got to them while in the wild overnight.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[BuffOrps32]

They could be lost... Maybe they don't know how to get back.

 

[mixedbreeds]

I had a couple disappear for two days they returned the evening of the second day. I never did figure out why they left or where they went. I assumed something spooked them and it took that long for them to find there way back.

 

[ashlierami]

Thanks everyone that gives me hope. I haven't given up and plan to let my birds free range for a few to see if that helps any. I don't have a huge place but there are plenty of places to hide and there is a large field behind me which they forage in. I'm hoping they are just lost and will come back soon.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Any luck?

 

[ashlierami]

Any luck?

Actually yes, I came home from a short errand yesterday and the roo missing was standing outside the pens and I was so happy. Turns out he had went inside a utility shed my landlord has on the property. When he opened the shed the roo was in there hiding. But as for the chick I think she is a goner. I haven't seen or heard her. I checked inside the shed but it's quite large and I didn't see a sign of her. I've searched the whole property several times and even let them free range for hours yesterday hoping their sound would attract her. Maybe she will turn up but I fear she was injured or she went to far and is lost.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I am so glad your rooster came home!