Oh dear. How come the same evening I'm stressing about chick shipment I have to deal with this? Long story short, some rogue Husky creature tore through the neighborhood today. 2 of my neighbor's hens were killed, one of my hens is still missing. Yes, managed to capture the beast as it went for neighbor 2's duck pen. Waited as long as we could before closing up the Animal Shed. If she's alive, she's locked out. We've searched high and low, all neighborhood kids helped, she was the only one not found. How long does it take for a traumatized bird to return? Given the injuries sustained by neighbor's hen (We had to put her down) I'm imagining my hen laying in a bush in agony. She's the fat bossy Orpington that boob slams her flock mates away from food. I don't think she could've flown up high to a tree (We did look.) Part of me says the farm yard will be peaceful without her so good riddance, but I hate to imagine her suffering all night.
I’m so sorry!! Leave out some feed and water in the morning so if she is still out there she will come back
Sorry about the dog attack and your missing hen. You have probably looked around your yard with a flashlight, or if not I would look in bushes or any fences. I would set the clock to get up before daylight and go out and have food and water ready just in case she shows up. Hopefully, she was in hiding, andshe will come out in the daylight. Look around in other yards as well. I hope you find her.