Jlouder
In the Brooder
- Aug 4, 2019
- 2
- 21
- 29
Hi! I’m new to the website and fairly new to raising chickens. I have been raising chickens for about a year and a half now. I got my first four girls from a kindergarten class in which they were hatching eggs as a Science lesson. The eggs came from a local college and since they were donated eggs the breed of chickens were a total surprise. I ended up with 1 Plymouth Rock hen, two polish hens (black with the fro of feathers on their heads) and a small all black one that I’m not sure of the breed. I also just got two Silkie baby chicks from a local farmer. My first 4 hens I have raised since they were two days hatched and I am so attached to them. Didn’t realize how attached you can get to chickens. I adore their unique personalities and the way they follow you around the yard like puppies. They are free range girls. They go out in the morning and are put up at night. If I am going to be gone from the house for an extended period of time during the day, I do put them up until I’m back. The girls never stray far. You can usually find them near their coop or in the front yard. Today was no exception. My husband said he saw all four girls near the coop grazing around 6:30. Around 7:30 he went back out to check on them and put them up if they had not already gone in the coop and noticed one of my polish hens was not accounted for. We have looked everywhere for her and continued to look well after it got dark out. She’s just gone. That fast. No trace. I found a feather here and there but nothing that would make me think a struggle. In fact a couple of the feathers looked like my Plymouth Rock who is safe in the coop. The girls have been free ranging without incident for a year now. I understand that when free ranging there could always be that chance of predators getting to your flock, and that just because it hadn’t happened to you doesn’t mean it won’t. Is there any other explanation other than predator? I’ve been crying my eyes out all night, sick to my stomach about what my poor girl went through if it was a predator. But if there could be another reason for her missing I want to make sure I exhaust all other possibilities. I don’t have roosters so I know it’s not because she’s hiding a nest full of chicks somewhere. I know this is a very long message but I am sick from heartbreak right now. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!
Here is a picture of my sweet, gentle Heihei. Named after the chicken from Moana due to similar personalities.
Here is a picture of my sweet, gentle Heihei. Named after the chicken from Moana due to similar personalities.
Just wish the circumstances were happier.
Sorry your girl is missing! Hens go broody without roosters present but she may be hiding or be stuck somewhere.... chickens have been found under tipped over buckets, wedged between objects, in trees.... she may have gotten spooked. Predator attack is also unfortunately a good possibility - can be birds of prey (I’ve seen owls out during daylight) , four legged predator that grabbed and ran off. I would look around and listen for any clucking as you search, she may show up or be found. 
to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC! 
