missing chickens at night?? anyinfo

[JustinMellor]

so I let my 5 chickensroam 24/7 in my fenced in 10'000 sq backyard sincethey were 8 weeks old. they will occasionally sneak under the fence which isno big deal in my neighborhood but at night they're isonly 3 in the coop . theother 2 dissapear I looked every where and this happens everynight . they always come backin the am. How doI fix this and what is going on???

 

[Percheron chick]

You've been lucky up to now that they come back in the morning. It's only a matter of time before they don't. I'd watch where they're getting out and secure that. They could also be flying out and that will be harder to control. You can try teaching them to come when you whistle or call at dusk. Give them some treat that they can't resist then lock them up. Chickens are so vulnerable at night and don't put up any resistance to predators. It's our job to make sure they are safe.

 

[chfite]

I would lock them up 24 hours a day for a couple of weeks, to make sure they will come back at night. In the dark, a somnolent chicken is easy prey for anything.

After that, go back to free range. Mine come back every night.

Chris