My Wayward Hen Tale

[Saddlemaker]

I started 15 chicks in March: 5 RI red, 5 Plymouth rocks, and 5 unclaimed at feed store: 1 leghorn, 2 green eggers and 2 spotted Sussex. After they had been in the coop a couple weeks one of the RI reds stayed out all night, and a search of the two acres didn’t turn her up. The next morning, she came walking down the board walk. It was the same story the next night but, in the morning, she was gone. So, I was down to 14 hens which I counted every night. At about this same time we had a flock of about 20 wild turkeys roosting in the pine trees at night. Our boxer dog who protects the chickens chased them off. A couple weeks later, early in the morning when the girls got out of the coop a racoon killed on of the spotted Sussex. I was now down to 13 hens but two nights later I had 14 including 5 RI reds. My missing hen had returned. How had she survived out here with the racoons, foxes, coyotes and hawks? My best guess is that she ran with the wild turkeys doing what they did to stay safe until she decided to return home. Any one else have chickens run off with wild turkeys?

 

[akroberts1085]

I started 15 chicks in March: 5 RI red, 5 Plymouth rocks, and 5 unclaimed at feed store: 1 leghorn, 2 green eggers and 2 spotted Sussex. After they had been in the coop a couple weeks one of the RI reds stayed out all night, and a search of the two acres didn’t turn her up. The next morning, she came walking down the board walk. It was the same story the next night but, in the morning, she was gone. So, I was down to 14 hens which I counted every night. At about this same time we had a flock of about 20 wild turkeys roosting in the pine trees at night. Our boxer dog who protects the chickens chased them off. A couple weeks later, early in the morning when the girls got out of the coop a racoon killed on of the spotted Sussex. I was now down to 13 hens but two nights later I had 14 including 5 RI reds. My missing hen had returned. How had she survived out here with the racoons, foxes, coyotes and hawks? My best guess is that she ran with the wild turkeys doing what they did to stay safe until she decided to return home. Any one else have chickens run off with wild turkeys?

That's a really great story. I'm sorry you lost one of your hens. I'm really happy to hear about your RIR coming home. I have 2 of them and my girl Darlin will do some of the strangest things. She left the yard one day and I found her hiding under the neighbors propane tank to keep the roosters away from her.