Ok... could really use some advice! Lost chicken, found!

[CamanoChicks]

I say keep her. If she was running around in a condo she is more prone to preditors including humans than with you. Keep her safe and happy. She just got a little confused when she strayed.
I like happy endings.

 

[DancingHen]

poor girl was hungry. So glad you brought her home. Hope she settles in.

 

[gryeyes]

Oh, by all means, keep her! Chickens really aren't the sharpest tacks in the box, y'know. Mine often run PAST open gates, and can't find the way back into the back yard.

 

[Tina D]

Awww! Keep her! What a lucky thing, to have found her after all this time.

 

[roocrazy]

she still likes you. she probably misses hoot. KEEP HER!!!!!
shes yours!!!

 

[stoutfamily]

Thanks everyone!

Here they are this morning, reunited:

She doesn't seem to have any interest in leaving again. I really do think she just got a little lost before, and couldn't find her way back. She's not emaciated thin, so thankfully someone has been feeding her. I'm just not sure what! She's very shiny so I'm thinking it could've been some sort of cat/dog food since it's so much more oily than regular feed. Hopefully she will lay for me, like Hoot is

I'll have to keep a look out for brown eggs in addition to my green ones!
Unfortunately, we're renting so I can't do much building wise to keep her in. We recently got a new landlord who plans on fencing in the front yard finally. (Keeping my fingers crossed! - Just have to hope he doesn't have anything against my chickens).
I plan on keeping her, since she seems comfortable and happy here. If someone posts signs for her, I'll let them know I have her. Other than that, you all are right, she's my chicken. She was out roaming the neighborhood, and she's much safer here.

 

[Okie Amazon]

You don't have to build anything to keep them contained. For my chicks that are just getting introduced to the "great outdoors", I put them in a wire dog crate with bottom tray pulled out. They are protected, and I can move the thing around to fresh grass, shade, etc. as needed.

 

[hisdaughter]

What a great happy ending! Congrats

 

[Miyashi]

What a happy story and I know you've decided to keep her, but I wanted to shake you and scream "keep her"

My RIR looked like a rooster for a long time, but most that I've seen do!
Her tail didn't look rooish to me, but I will agree she is very shiny!
Hopefully she'll stay home and lay some eggs!
So happy that you found your bird. That's amazing after that much time.

 

[flowergirl60]

What a happy ending. Glad you decided to keep her. There is a reason she ended up at home.