Lost my first Chicken(went AWOL) Any suggestions?

[bulldog-girl]

HI, I have 12, now 11 full grown hens and one did not come in last night. They free range on our property and stay close to the hen house. One was missing last night when I put them to bed and did roll call. Did not see any signs of a predator, no feathers anywhere. Looked all over and she was not around this morning when I let them out.

Has anyone had a chicken go missing and then come back later? Do they get lost by going too far away from thier area? Ours always seem to be withing eyesight/earshot.

Needless to say we miss her.

 

[willowcol]

I have 1 that likes to hide in the woods sometimes, give it a day or 2. Though it could have gotten taken by a hawk I guess. I don't think they really leave evidence, but good luck hope she comes home.

 

[AllChookUp]

Don't know what to say, BD. Coincidentally, I had the same thing happen last night for the first time, but she came back at dark. I was really worried.

Someone else here does what they call a "scratch call" - A can with scratch in it that makes noice which the chickens associate with treat, so they come running. I would guess that might work pretty well.

I hope yours comes back today. I know you must be very worried.

 

[M@M@2four]

I've had hens do this...all have come back, but just to be sure, I would walk the property and make sure there's nothing she could get into or under(i.e.--buckets)...most likely she's out enjoying herslef!

Keep us posted! ~T

 

[derby]

Ours went AWOL for 24 hours. Had burrowed into the wood pile to sit on an egg and then couldn't figure how to get back out. After 24 hrs, she started clucking so we were able to find her.

Don't give up yet!

Derby

 

[bulldog-girl]

Thanks so much. She was discovered missing after dark and had to get into work today so could not really spend any time looking. Will look our property over really well this evening. We have lots of places to hide a chicken. I haven't given up hope yet.

 

[speckledhen]

I train all my birds to the scratch can noise-sure helps! I do have a couple who are not impressed by it like the others, so I have to be sure they made it back, but it works really well. And you can train them anytime. Just shake a coffee can with scratch in it, then sprinkle some on the ground. They'll learn that the sound means food.

 

[horsejody]

Maybe she went broody and is hiding.

 

[bulldog-girl]

Update: She came home!!! After 3 days she just showed up in the am. Hubby did a double take and counted the girls that were just getting let out. Sure enough, she marched right in and joined in with the other girls and started eating the breakfast scratch. She was really closed mouthed about her adventures away from the coop. Not sure if she was off visiting some neighbors, starting a nest or has a boyfriend on the side. Hee hee. Anyway, she was not injured and looked perfectly healthy. Maybe I otta give her a margarita and see if I can get her to talk.

 

[toletiquesbysam]

Wish that Margarita would work, would be fun to hear about her adventure!!