Missing

[neo71665]

My neighbors do have a flock and I asked them if they seen her/have her and they told me no. And between us I’ll sometimes go snooping around peoples yards looking for her

I wouldn't be surprised if they have a large flock of birds they don't even know what birds are there and aint.

 

[ea-kaleo]

Dear chicken friend, welcome to BYC!

Your flock is lovely!

I'm afraid your both right and wrong.. looking at the photos she is not old enough to lay.. which unfortunately also means she is NOT simply broody and hiding a nest. A bird that is not broody or laying will do EVERYTHING in it's power to return to it's flock as they are creatures of habit and there is safety in numbers.

Mongoose and cats are both very possible predators to a small chicken. Please note there are MANY aerial predators and domestic dogs cannot be understated as a threat... presuming you have both those as possibilities.. Other unsuspecting chicken predators that you may have.. rats, skunk, opossum, anything in the mink/weasel family.. I know your on an an island but with so much shipping (including illegal pet trade with lots of folks keeping ferrets) etc.. hardly anywhere is an secured island unto it's own these days. And most folks simply don't realize their true predator load.

I'll be surprised if your gal returns!

Both prior posters came up with fantastic possibilities I hadn't considered but are great ideas actually.. consider posting flyers or on your local lost and found if there is one!

Aloha!
Idk if this matters or not, but we recently lost our rooster. Like couple weeks ago. He got sick and didn’t make it. Also I don’t think posters would really work. There are many stray chickens that look like the same breed as ours lol maybe just smaller or bigger. I don’t think anyone would be able to tell our little nugget from any other chicken with similar markings.

 

[Callender Girl]

Don't give up on Nugget yet. One of my Easter Eggers, Evie, disappeared recently. She was in the yard with everyone else in the afternoon, but she was missing when it was time to go in. I called and called, shook a scoop full of food and looked all over the property. Evie had gotten into the bad habit of escaping into the pasture where the goats live, so I even checked inside the goat house and the sheep shed. Nothing.

Twice before I've had hens missing at night and both turned up in the morning. I was sure Evie would be there when I went to open coops, but she wasn't. We have tons of predators around here, including the coyotes whose songs I can hear all around us at night. I've had killer mink, a young horned owl, feral cats and plenty of possums in my yard.

I called her all day and nothing. At night I was putting away all the other girls and getting ready to head inside when, lo and behold, there was Evie, out by the further fence in the goat pasture. She was unharmed and has never again ventured over there. So, there's always a slight bit of hope that your girl might make it back too. I hope so.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I wouldn't be surprised if they have a large flock of birds they don't even know what birds are there and aint.

Well, to be fair, I have triple digits now and know when a neighbor's bird is visiting

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I wouldn't be surprised if they have a large flock of birds they don't even know what birds are there and aint.

Well, it's true that most folks are not as attention to detail as a person like me.. however..

Even with 82 birds.. I literally knew every one of their names.. and also know what the group should look like.. so sometimes would notice something that might take me a couple days to identify exactly what was different. I notice EVERYTHING though.

Aloha!
Idk if this matters or not, but we recently lost our rooster. Like couple weeks ago. He got sick and didn’t make it. Also I don’t think posters would really work. There are many stray chickens that look like the same breed as ours lol maybe just smaller or bigger. I don’t think anyone would be able to tell our little nugget from any other chicken with similar markings.

Sorry to hear about your boy.

I did also consider that she had fell ill somehow and just not made it back. Any sluggishness or separation is easily picked up on by predator animals who's survival depends on it. I've seen ants eat animals alive! Nature can seem so brutal.

My hope that she joined another "larger" flock.. is wishful thinking honestly knowing what I do know about chickens.. they DON'T welcome interlopers (the pecking order is real beeyotch) and she would very much stay with flock if possible.

I have seen many go across the fence and not figure out how to make it back.. have to hunker down and hide silently until the next day if not helped. And I still hold out hope for a bit but not as confidently as callender girl.. I'm too much of a realist (which seriously stinks), but so thankful to see the encouragement and hope!

Any aerial predator losses I sustained.. have left NO clue. She should have turned up today after missing yesterday and last night.. But the day's not over yet.. go out and look and listen.. they only venture so far.. search the area..

Well, to be fair, I have triple digits now and know when a neighbor's bird is visiting

I guess If we're gonna be real fair.. so many BYCer's are a cut above the rest of society!

At first though, I was wondering what does weather have to do with it!

I'm sure there are many folks in this world that wouldn't know their bumm from a whole in the ground (I've had some awful neighbors).. and I don't hold most humans as anywhere near to my standards I expect of myself.. So I'm sure there is a possibility someone wouldn't notice.. but consider the addition unlikely without captivity also being involved.

And between us I’ll sometimes go snooping around peoples yards looking for her

If it were me.. I'd not waste time or effort sneaking around the neighbors who might have some crazy notions of their own about protecting their property.. not knowing who does drugs or whatever.. pass on risking my life over looking for a bird.. that probably isn't there.. Seriously, heed this warning and move on.. If she returns (and I hope she does) that's great hopefully she won't go missing again.. If not then it was probably nature that took its' course. And if it were a neighbor acting maliciously then no worries.. what comes around goes around and they're probably already getting theirs.. with their miserable life.. Haters gonna hate, period. If they aren't that kinda shady people then there should also be no reason for snooping as they'd have told you when you asked if they knew something.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Again, sorry to hear. Did she go to roost with the other chickens that night, or disappear in the morning? I'm sorry, I guess it doesn't matter now ... I'm just trying to help you determine what might have gotten her so you can protect your remaining birds.

 

[Ghyz]

Again, sorry to hear. Did she go to roost with the other chickens that night, or disappear in the morning? I'm sorry, I guess it doesn't matter now ... I'm just trying to help you determine what might have gotten her so you can protect your remaining birds.

Thank you for helping me. This is my first time owning chickens, and I’m gonna be honest I kinda don’t want to get anymore. Free-ranging chickens give them more freedom but I understand now there is plenty of risk that comes with it. Thank you guys for helping me! I should’ve listened to my mom and got a cat or dog instead. Mahalo everyone!

 

[Ghyz]

Well, it's true that most folks are not as attention to detail as a person like me.. however..

Even with 82 birds.. I literally knew every one of their names.. and also know what the group should look like.. so sometimes would notice something that might take me a couple days to identify exactly what was different. I notice EVERYTHING though.


Sorry to hear about your boy.

I did also consider that she had fell ill somehow and just not made it back. Any sluggishness or separation is easily picked up on by predator animals who's survival depends on it. I've seen ants eat animals alive! Nature can seem so brutal.

My hope that she joined another "larger" flock.. is wishful thinking honestly knowing what I do know about chickens.. they DON'T welcome interlopers (the pecking order is real beeyotch) and she would very much stay with flock if possible.

I have seen many go across the fence and not figure out how to make it back.. have to hunker down and hide silently until the next day if not helped. And I still hold out hope for a bit but not as confidently as callender girl.. I'm too much of a realist (which seriously stinks), but so thankful to see the encouragement and hope!

Any aerial predator losses I sustained.. have left NO clue. She should have turned up today after missing yesterday and last night.. But the day's not over yet.. go out and look and listen.. they only venture so far.. search the area..


I guess If we're gonna be real fair.. so many BYCer's are a cut above the rest of society!

At first though, I was wondering what does weather have to do with it!

I'm sure there are many folks in this world that wouldn't know their bumm from a whole in the ground (I've had some awful neighbors).. and I don't hold most humans as anywhere near to my standards I expect of myself.. So I'm sure there is a possibility someone wouldn't notice.. but consider the addition unlikely without captivity also being involved.


If it were me.. I'd not waste time or effort sneaking around the neighbors who might have some crazy notions of their own about protecting their property.. not knowing who does drugs or whatever.. pass on risking my life over looking for a bird.. that probably isn't there.. Seriously, heed this warning and move on.. If she returns (and I hope she does) that's great hopefully she won't go missing again.. If not then it was probably nature that took its' course. And if it were a neighbor acting maliciously then no worries.. what comes around goes around and they're probably already getting theirs.. with their miserable life.. Haters gonna hate, period. If they aren't that kinda shady people then there should also be no reason for snooping as they'd have told you when you asked if they knew something.

Well, it's true that most folks are not as attention to detail as a person like me.. however..

Even with 82 birds.. I literally knew every one of their names.. and also know what the group should look like.. so sometimes would notice something that might take me a couple days to identify exactly what was different. I notice EVERYTHING though.


Sorry to hear about your boy.

I did also consider that she had fell ill somehow and just not made it back. Any sluggishness or separation is easily picked up on by predator animals who's survival depends on it. I've seen ants eat animals alive! Nature can seem so brutal.

My hope that she joined another "larger" flock.. is wishful thinking honestly knowing what I do know about chickens.. they DON'T welcome interlopers (the pecking order is real beeyotch) and she would very much stay with flock if possible.

I have seen many go across the fence and not figure out how to make it back.. have to hunker down and hide silently until the next day if not helped. And I still hold out hope for a bit but not as confidently as callender girl.. I'm too much of a realist (which seriously stinks), but so thankful to see the encouragement and hope!

Any aerial predator losses I sustained.. have left NO clue. She should have turned up today after missing yesterday and last night.. But the day's not over yet.. go out and look and listen.. they only venture so far.. search the area..


I guess If we're gonna be real fair.. so many BYCer's are a cut above the rest of society!

At first though, I was wondering what does weather have to do with it!

I'm sure there are many folks in this world that wouldn't know their bumm from a whole in the ground (I've had some awful neighbors).. and I don't hold most humans as anywhere near to my standards I expect of myself.. So I'm sure there is a possibility someone wouldn't notice.. but consider the addition unlikely without captivity also being involved.


If it were me.. I'd not waste time or effort sneaking around the neighbors who might have some crazy notions of their own about protecting their property.. not knowing who does drugs or whatever.. pass on risking my life over looking for a bird.. that probably isn't there.. Seriously, heed this warning and move on.. If she returns (and I hope she does) that's great hopefully she won't go missing again.. If not then it was probably nature that took its' course. And if it were a neighbor acting maliciously then no worries.. what comes around goes around and they're probably already getting theirs.. with their miserable life.. Haters gonna hate, period. If they aren't that kinda shady people then there should also be no reason for snooping as they'd have told you when you asked if they knew something.

Thank you for helping me. This is my first time owning chickens, and I’m gonna be honest I kinda don’t want to get anymore. Free-ranging chickens give them more freedom but I understand now there is plenty of risk that comes with it. Thank you guys for helping me! I should’ve listened to my mom and got a cat or dog instead. Mahalo everyone!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Thank you for helping me. This is my first time owning chickens, and I’m gonna be honest I kinda don’t want to get anymore. Free-ranging chickens give them more freedom but I understand now there is plenty of risk that comes with it. Thank you guys for helping me! I should’ve listened to my mom and got a cat or dog instead. Mahalo everyone!

Very sorry to to hear that!

I have both cats and dogs.. there is no such thing as a perfect animal. They were truly not meant to be kept as pets.. but that's what people including myself do.

After more than 15 years of having dogs own me and run my life.. and losing my very best friend 2 months ago (grief like losing one of my kids).. I'm kinda in the opposite boat and don't wanna keep dogs anymore.. they're working animals not companions as they're made out to be.. As humans we are trying to meet our own needs and have fun with the wide array of animals that have tamed and or domesticated. Animals do what animals want to do and they don't really care what we think about it.. Sure some work to please us.. but they're disobedient free thinkers that wanna bark at the passers by, neighbors, etc... And my cats.. killings everything they can get their grubby little paws on for NO reason other than they NEED to hunt, it's in their nature to the work that comes natural to them to feed themselves.. and boredom with excess energy breeds mischief.

This is my jaded and very broken take on it right now anyways.

I'm sorry that your chicken friend has not returned! I hope you can get enough reprieve and relief, even a complete turn around with the chickens you have left and start feeling the the joy that can come from keeping poultry...

If it turns out they really aren't for you.. that's okay. It stinks to have painful experiences over just not liking something. But I'm glad that we are not all exactly the same as it helps keep things balanced.

I'm glad you found BYC.. We can support you through this if you let us!