missing chicken

[frannyfran]

Hi all -- I'm a new member on this forum, and a new (and proud) owner of my own flock of nine chickens in my Atlanta backyard. Seven of them are normal size -- RIRs, buff orpingtons, an americana, and barred rocks. Yesterday we added two beautiful bantams to our flock. Immediately, they flew the coop, which we hadn't yet covered. We found them last night in the alley behind the house, and shut them in the coop...(it was a fun hour and a half of chasing them through blackberry brambles and abandoned lots).

This morning, I let them out into the run (which is now well-covered with some bird netting), and an hour later, one of the bantams was gone. I'm afraid she got out under the coop, where there is a little crawl space. I realize that this means our run isn't completely predator proof, but at this point, I'm most worried about getting this bantam back. I haven't seen her, and this neighborhood is full of dogs and feral cats. Is there anything I can do to tempt her to come home? Please help!

Thank you--

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

Keep plenty of food available, & maybe that & the sound of the other chickens will entice it back. If it comes back, you might clip it's wing & close up the lower escape routes in the coop.

 

[frannyfran]

Thanks for your help birdaholic -- I've put out food and I'm searching the neighboring properties for her. Please let me know if anyone else has any tricks for tempting back an escape artist hen...

 

[frannyfran]

Good news -- found her under the coop, and now we've escape-proofed the whole run. Thanks for your help!

 

[noodleroo]

I'm so glad for you. So many of these stories don't turn out so well. Its a good day....

 

[frannyfran]

I know -- I was so worried. We're so glad to have her back. Thanks for your kind words.