Lost young chicks

[Frazzled chicken tender]

How does one find chicks that ran off? My husband didnt put them in coop last night and they were all huddled outside. One was killed. I briefly saw the other 3 when i got back in town this morning. I didnt know what happened yet and had to go to an appt. Got back and now all are gone. Im calling but cant find them. Do scared young chicks usually return? They are roughly 2 months old.

 

[FunClucks]

How does one find chicks that ran off? My husband didnt put them in coop last night and they were all huddled outside. One was killed. I briefly saw the other 3 when i got back in town this morning. I didnt know what happened yet and had to go to an appt. Got back and now all are gone. Im calling but cant find them. Do scared young chicks usually return? They are roughly 2 months old.

Oh no! that's so sad to hear!

Chickens usually return to the place where they know the food is, and to be with their flock. If they were scared off by a predators, give them a day or two and they should show up again, hopefully today. But since a predator already got one, odds are good it came back for the rest of them.

I'm hoping I'm wrong. Time will tell. I'd keep a close eye out for a few days.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

Oh no! that's so sad to hear!

Chickens usually return to the place where they know the food is, and to be with their flock. If they were scared off by a predators, give them a day or two and they should show up again, hopefully today. But since a predator already got one, odds are good it came back for the rest of them.

I'm hoping I'm wrong. Time will tell. I'd keep a close eye out for a few days.

Thank you! I'm very upset...the 4 of them were so docile and affectionate. They were raised separate from my larger flock, which is not as affectionate.
I'm hoping the remaining 3 are just hiding somewhere and will come back soon. But usually they come when i call them. I would think if it was a night predator that killed the one, it might stay away until the night time. But I dont know how predators behave. I'm planning on going out all afternoon in woods surrounding our house...just not sure how far young chicks would go. Or their behavior if scared. Thank you for your input!

 

[FunClucks]

Thank you! I'm very upset...the 4 of them were so docile and affectionate. They were raised separate from my larger flock, which is not as affectionate.
I'm hoping the remaining 3 are just hiding somewhere and will come back soon. But usually they come when i call them. I would think if it was a night predator that killed the one, it might stay away until the night time. But I dont know how predators behave. I'm planning on going out all afternoon in woods surrounding our house...just not sure how far young chicks would go. Or their behavior if scared. Thank you for your input!

Crossing my fingers for you. When you are looking, look under things. Like, did they turn a flowerpot over on top of themselves - chickens can't get out of that without help, and when they're scared they go quiet and won't cry out for rescue. My young chicks like to hide between the slats of double sided pallets. It's amazing the small places they can fit.

Making the treat call / food call, shaking a container of feed, the sound of your calm voice, these are all things they would identify and come check out. All the chickens I've ever had have been insatiably curious when they weren't scared - if they're still out there they may just need some time and a reminder that the food bringer is present.

Hoping you find them soon!

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

Crossing my fingers for you. When you are looking, look under things. Like, did they turn a flowerpot over on top of themselves - chickens can't get out of that without help, and when they're scared they go quiet and won't cry out for rescue. My young chicks like to hide between the slats of double sided pallets. It's amazing the small places they can fit.

Making the treat call / food call, shaking a container of feed, the sound of your calm voice, these are all things they would identify and come check out. All the chickens I've ever had have been insatiably curious when they weren't scared - if they're still out there they may just need some time and a reminder that the food bringer is present.

Hoping you find them soon!

I found them! Thank you so much for the tips! I went out and called them again, had been calling them all day, and they finally wandered out from under a shrub. I don't know where they had been hiding. I could have sworn I looked there. And quiet all day. They are now very standoffish, which is unusual for them. The 4 would usually hang out and crawl all over me when i went outside, happily chipping away. Now the 3 of them come out briefly, get a treat, then run back under my deck. It may be that they are grieving the loss of their flockmate. And I probably am projecting, but they seem more distrustful of me, almost like I have let them down. I came in for a break (it's hot) But about to go out in a bit to offer more treats, deep clean the bigger coop, and fix up their area (has little feathers scattered all around). I don't know if they will go back to their little carrier again. They were going back to it at night, waiting on top of it, then we would put them inside, and put it inside the larger coop with the big birds. Then carry them back out to their area (vegetable garden and back yard) during the day. Apparently they were waiting all night on top of the carrier, and one was killed. Very sad, but I'm so glad they are here now. Thank you again for the kind words and tips!!

 

[FunClucks]

I found them! Thank you so much for the tips! I went out and called them again, had been calling them all day, and they finally wandered out from under a shrub. I don't know where they had been hiding. I could have sworn I looked there. And quiet all day. They are now very standoffish, which is unusual for them. The 4 would usually hang out and crawl all over me when i went outside, happily chipping away. Now the 3 of them come out briefly, get a treat, then run back under my deck. It may be that they are grieving the loss of their flockmate. And I probably am projecting, but they seem more distrustful of me, almost like I have let them down. I came in for a break (it's hot) But about to go out in a bit to offer more treats, deep clean the bigger coop, and fix up their area (has little feathers scattered all around). I don't know if they will go back to their little carrier again. They were going back to it at night, waiting on top of it, then we would put them inside, and put it inside the larger coop with the big birds. Then carry them back out to their area (vegetable garden and back yard) during the day. Apparently they were waiting all night on top of the carrier, and one was killed. Very sad, but I'm so glad they are here now. Thank you again for the kind words and tips!!

So glad you found them!!!

They had a traumatic experience. It may take them a while to calm down and be friendly with you again. Also, as they mature, their hormones change. Mine went through a phase where they weren't interested in me, but after they started laying they were more tolerant of me. I used to handle them often as young chicks until they got too heavy to lift one-handed, now I only handle them occasionally, as they feel they have other things to do.

I'd try and resume your evening routine, but put them to bed earlier if possible. Also I'd hesitate to leave them unattended during the day, at least for the next week. Is there a more secure run location they can be in during the day? Many typical night predators strike during the day also, and now that the predator knows it can eat chickens in that location, it will come back until it can't catch/eat anything else (because they're more secure) or until all the chickens are eaten. Giving the chickens places they can hide, fly to, or go to where predators can't get them as easily during the day might help them feel safer.

Until / unless you can identify the type of predator, it's hard to give better/more specific advice. Many folks have game cameras or outdoor security cameras pointed at their coops, and catch pictures of the predators that way.

Good luck!!!