Missing hen!

[L66wlt]

I have hens disappear for 21 days often enough, we grieve the loss then they show back up with their bags and chicks in tow. Oh yeah egg count for sure drops when a broody is on the loose. But seasonal light is much more likely this time of year.

We're down to about 8 or 9 hours of light here on a good day so more than likely the cause.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Right, that makes sense.

Good luck + keep us posted!

 

[aart]

We're down to about 8 or 9 hours of light here on a good day so more than likely the cause.

That shouldn't effect most pullets, if they were already laying, tho it can.
When she comes back, might want to confine them all for a week.
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop/run for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[L66wlt]

Happy to say she was standing in the garden this morning waiting on the others to join her . She seems fine and going about her business, always been flighty and not up to person contact anyway so nothing new there.
Been reading online today there have been cases of avian flu in the UK so looks like confinement is a must!

 

[SulkyBantam]

Yay! Glad to hear she was fine, thought she would be!

Yep, I was concerned about the avian flu too. Have to be extra careful luckily my flock don't like wild birds so will scare away any flu-carriers.

 

[Hei 20]

Happy to say she was standing in the garden this morning waiting on the others to join her . She seems fine and going about her business, always been flighty and not up to person contact anyway so nothing new there.
Been reading online today there have been cases of avian flu in the UK so looks like confinement is a must!

So happy for you. I told you she would be back. She just needed some alone time.

 

[aart]

Happy to say she was standing in the garden this morning waiting on the others to join her . She seems fine and going about her business, always been flighty and not up to person contact anyway so nothing new there.
Been reading online today there have been cases of avian flu in the UK so looks like confinement is a must!

Good news Bad news

Yep, I was concerned about the avian flu too. Have to be extra careful luckily my flock don't like wild birds so will scare away any flu-carriers.

Wonders if the confinement order will be enforced.

When it was here, they'd kill the whole flock if unconfined or any positive tests.