My favorite hen is missing... Update IS BACK & BROODY! after 2 days!

[hipeatall]

I'm so sad today. My favorite hen "Nan" is missing.
I've walked the property 3 times now looking for some sign... nothing... not even a feather... it's like she just disappeared.
She was always my rebel chicken... the one that escaped the yard every single day - even after I clipped her wings!... the one that insisted on laying her eggs anywhere but the nesting boxes - preferably in one of my container plants... the one that liked hanging out on the front porch and looking in the windows to see what we were up to.
I know chances are slim to none... but, I really hope she comes home...

 

[LarryPQ]

Could she have gone broody? Maybe she will surprise you in a few weeks with a little army of Nanites.

 

[hipeatall]

Quote:
I guess it is possible... but in the 3 years I've had her she has never expressed an interest in sitting on eggs.
I do like the thought of a little army of Nanites though

 

[geebs]

She has a nest... She will be coming back for food... She is probably hatching... It is the right time for that and the right type of chicken.. sneaky... he he.

It will be okay... take a breath....

I can't wait to see your posts on the new hatch!!

I guess it is possible... but in the 3 years I've had her she has never expressed an interest in sitting on eggs.

This is the way she is telling you she is interested in sitting on eggs.. She is just a private person and wants to do it where there are no other eyes watching her.... Her rules... And a three year old hen.... ya...that sounds like broody behaviour to me.. She snuck out and laid eggs and now she is sitting them.... she may show up for food if there isn't something available elsewhere. Make sure there is a clean water supply outside the coup.​

 

[hipeatall]

I really hope you guys are right... and your words are gonna come in really handy this afternoon when my son gets off the bus...

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I too hope she shows up.

Check odd places you normally would not - over turned buckets, boxes - under the deck (if you have one), between things along side the house or outbuildings, in cars - under hoods, on top of tires, the garage, house crawl space, if there is space in your coop between nestboxes and the wall, any strange-does-not look big enough for a chicken place. Check inside your outbuildings - even if the door is now closed.



One night, my BR Abby disappeared. An hour before lock up she was out in the yard and when I went back out, I could not find her. I called and called - she is a talker and will tell you everything that has happened to her, so she is always very eager to come when called. I looked everywhere for 45 minutes until I could not see any longer. I stomped into the house, got the flashlight and continued looking - at that point I was looking for a body, sure something had killed her. We have 11 acres and I searched for an additional hour before I found her - up on my quad, between the handlebars and the front container - snuggled down for bed - I was so happy to find her I cried.

 

[hipeatall]

Well, still no sign of my Nan... it's a sad day. Even my husband, not a chicken person, said he will miss her. It's funny how these silly birds find their ways into our hearts.

 

[lemurchaser]

One of my girls was missing in my fully fenced back yard. I figured something like a hawk got her (although not a feather was found). 3 or 4 days later she was waiting to get into the coop when I let the other girls out in the morning. No clue where she'd been or what she'd been doing. My dogs usually let me know where someone is hiding out, but they didn't find her either. She's still around, has never done it again or shown any signs of going broody.

I hope your girl turns up too.

 

[hipeatall]

Okay, I can't believe this... she has spent 2 nights outside of the coop... we have raccoons, foxes, owls... but here she is.

and she is all poofie and grumbling and FINE! I do think she has gone broody... and I bet she has a hidden nest... and she will probably disappear again for a bit... but, she's always been a rebel. I'm just so happy she's still around. I guess I will be doing some detective work this weekend trying to figure out where she's hiding out...
Thanks sooooo much for all of the kind support... I honestly thought you guys were all just being nice... I really never thought she'd be back!

 

[zazouse]

Yep she is broody, better find the nest before something else does,mabe chicks in your near future.