This never happened to me before...night before last, when I went to close the coop door, I noticed that only 4 of 5 girls were roosting. I looked around the yard with my flashlight (it had just gotten dark), but no sign of Iris. I figured she had become a raccoon snack, and was feeling bad that I hadn't shut the coop earlier. Ten year old DD said, "she's probably just up in a tree somewhere or under the porch." We know some people who have chickens that roost outside, but we have predators, so I didn't think she was right. That night there was a big thunderstorm, so I figured even if the chicken were still alive, she might not be safe. Then, the next morning at 6:15 I wake up to the "where's my posse?" song right outside the bedroom window. Sure enough, Iris was standing in the front yard, looking for the flock. If only chickens could talk! I'd like to know where she spent the night
