My Chicken Has Gone...please help!!!

[potterchick]

I only have two 2 month 20 day old chickens. And 3 younger 4 weeks old chicks.

We left them all outside today in the sunshine and I had built them a made - do pen. this was with chicken wire.
There is a picture below

It was 7 'o' clock and still light outside and we were watching telly, when my mum went into the kitchen and looked outside to see one of my big chickens had escaped and the other one nowhere to be found.

5 of us went looking for Izzie, but we could not find her. Usually, when the girls are separated they squawk and squawk until they are reunited. But i could not hear Izzie calling out, so immediately I knew she had wither gone far or was gone.

I took Nugget inside her coop who I think was shocked and searched ad searched.I couldn't help but cry for Izzie, who was lost or gone.

I still keep thinking that she is out in my garden somewhere, as outside my garden we have a meadow which joins a lot of families gardens together, she could be anywhere! The only thing holding me back is that my mum saw a fox coming towards the "pen" before she shouted and scared it. This scares me into thinking that she is dead, I think she probably is and maybe it is so.


Could she be alive and also if not then my little baby Nugget is so depressed what shall I do to make her happy again or not miss Izzie. I have put a picture up of Izzie in the coop but she is still so depressed. I understand that they love each other, it is just s hard for me.

Please help in anyway you can.


There is also a picture below of my beauties:








Thanks, Jess

 

[DelDels]

I am so sorry you are missing your chick. Since your mother has seen a fox it may have taken the chick. Even if you find the chick safe know that your makeshift pen is not adequate protection. You must not use it again. The fox now knows there are chicks there. It and other predators can easily take the chicks from that pen. Look in the coop and pen section of the forum and learn about safe pens and how to make one. Chicken wire is only good for keeping chickens confined. It is easily torn through by dogs, foxes, coons and others. Without solid posts to hold the wire it is even easier for the predators to climb on over. You need to use hardware cloth instead, mounted on solid posts and buried 12 inches to prevent digging. Also some type of wire roof is needed too.

One of the hardest parts of keeping chickens is protecting them from predation. Many small animals are fierce predators that easily kill chickens and especially chicks. Don't be angry with yourself as you will learn how to overcome your lack of knowledge. Many people have made these mistakes before. Planet Earth is a tough place at times. You and the chicks will do fine.

 

[potterchick]

Thank you so much. I will ensure that this never does happen again