Missing my first hen :(

[PollyWaddle]

Hi, Nekomi:
I agree that she might be going broody, and I've also had hens that were starting to moult stay in trees all night. Sometimes I can find them and put them in the coop, other times they just (thankfully) show up the next day. This could go on a while. Watch her at the end of the day, if you can, and follow her to her spot.
I totally understand how you feel -- I just lost one of my EEs to gosh knows what -- she just disappeared.
Hang in there! I hope she shows!
-Pollywaddle

 

[nekomi]

You guys were right, she was broody!! Found a huge nest of 18 eggs underneath the hostas alongside the barn.

So, what should I do to get her back in the coop? Should I dismantle the nest, or should I move all her eggs to a "safe" spot in the coop? Or do I just physically pick up the broody hen each night, now that I know where she sleeps?

Thanks all!

 

[nnbreeder]

You could try taking apart the nest. If there is no rooster they won't hatch anyway. I would do it with her off the nest, broodys can get very defensive about their nests.