Last night, my three hens did not come home.... :( :( :( UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[boochaces]

he made me feel a lot better - and made me feel confident that i did nothing wrong...

IT HAPPENS.

 

[boochaces]

it has been 4 nights, 5 days. i am pretty sure they are not coming home. i have made peace with this...

i have my 6 little ones outside now, scratching, playing, stretching - and tonight will be their first night in the coop outside. you have to just keep going forward.

I WILL NEVER FORGET MY FIRST THREE HENS... BLANCHE, TURKEY, AND INGRID ... <3

 

[boochaces]

GUYS.... I went to a baby shower today. Stephen stayed home at the farm. My phone died on my way back from the shower. As I pulled into the driveway, Stephen was standing in the driveway with bread in his hands. When I pulled up, I rolled down my window. "DIDN'T YOU GET MY TEXT?!?!?!" he said. "No, my phone died... Are you OK?" I replied with. "One of them came back...." I jumped out of my car and started running barefoot toward the back. There she was. Missing feathers. Skinnier. TURKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Turkey is back.... 5 nights, 6 days away from home. She is back... Of course Steve took a pic. I was crying.



HERE IS MY QUESTION. I have the SIX 2 month olds in the coop now. Tonight will be their second night out there. During the day, I let them out of the coop in their little fenced in area. Tonight, I have Turkey in a small chicken crate with electrolyte water and bread. She is drinking nonstop. Poor thing. Anyway, Turkey is used to free ranging with two other hens. Do I let her out of the crate and fence her in with the babies, this way she can jump out of she pleases to free range or stay in? Or do I put her in coop with babies tomorrow night? Do I get another hen her age? Please help me guys.

 

[SunnyAlberta]

Thank you for sharing happy news. I'm a newbie and so I have no expert advise, but as a mom -- and you are "Mom", too -- I know to trust my gut. Turkey will tell you what she needs if you listen. Good luck.

 

[boochaces]

Thank you for sharing happy news. I'm a newbie and so I have no expert advise, but as a mom -- and you are "Mom", too -- I know to trust my gut. Turkey will tell you what she needs if you listen. Good luck.

oh, i am so pleased to be able to share this news with you guys!!! i know i do not have all of them back (but anything is possible at this point) - it is still so amazing to have turkey back at least. i just don't know what to do right now... she is ok by herself tonight because she is weak and needs nurturing but i just don't know what to do! ha...

 

[chicken pickin]

Oh so exciting for you one came home. I love the pic too its great! With any luck the other 2 will follow soon behind her if not at least you have Turkey back. Im not sure what you should do as I have never had to intergrate a flock. I keep all my flocks pretty much seperate because when they mingle together I get over protective and nervous lol. Like SouthernAlberta says I think your gut will tell you what to do. Good luck!!!!

 

[boochaces]

very happy...

any advice, guys???

 

[chic-a-deee]

Glad they're back. In Australia there are hardly any preditors...dogs, cats & foxes are about it. But as Im not on a farm, but in a backyard, there are only cats.
My coop has an enclosed top. I never let my girls out unless Im in the yard with them...or if anything, the back door is open & I can hear them (my house is pitifully small). My advice would be to keep them in the coop when you're not at home...many BYC members work this way & I think its a good idea. Poor chooks, when they are scared just run for the nearest cover. Im so glad one of ur girls are back....I'd die a thousand deaths if one of mine met their fate in a bad way :-(
Good luck....keep up the love...

Id keep her in a box or pet carrier...the ones with the door. Put in food & water in those containers that hitch onto the door (like in a birdcage) Keep her warm &
quiet...not disturbing her too much....& maybe a few drops of vitamins...(human stuff is ok like pentivite) When one of mine nearly died on the nest....she wouldnt get off to eat, I also put in a bit
of worming stuff so her gut didnt have to compete with any worm infestation.

She'll be ok. It may be a good thing to check for any cuts & abrasions....like from the animal that attacked her.

Good luck

 

[SunnyAlberta]

she is ok by herself tonight because she is weak and needs nurturing but i just don't know what to do! ha...

I wonder if you should post about her on the "Emergencies..." thread where folks with an interest in health gather:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

 

[boochaces]

Here she is ... all the way in the back ... with the young flock today. She got along with them great. This is going to have to be her new flock. They were all roosting together for a bit earlier. I really think she is so lonely and being with the younger chickens is making her a bit happier.

WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK? BAD IDEA???????????????