One of my Peahens is missing

[lorrir]

I have three peahens I raised from chicks. They are about 5 months old, I raised them with 12 polish lace chicks and have kept them penned together until last month. The Polish Lace can't fly out of the pen and I wanted the peas to free range so when they had to be moved to a bigger pen I left the screening off their new home. All has been well for about 4 weeks, all three peahens hung out together, you never saw one with out the other two bringing up the rear. Well it got cold last night around the mid 30's, the first time this winter. This morning I was missing a peahen, I looked around the yard and on top of their favorite roosts, no peahen, no feathers and no body. Should I assume she just flew away? She definitely left overnight, I just wonder where she went?

 

[NateinFL]

Oh well that's a little worrisome. She shouldnt have flown away, especially since you raised her as a baby, you need to be out there first thing in the morning as the sun is rising, listen for her calling. A lost bird will call for its other flock members, I hope this has a happy ending.

 

[NateinFL]

Did you get her back? I've been wondering!

 

[lorrir]

No she's not back. I shake the feed bucket really loud in the morning. She wasn't acting sick or lethargic. It's hunting season here in SC and I wonder if they were in the woods and someone shot her. The one I lost was pure white.

 

[NateinFL]

So sad to hear, I'm sure you were attached to her as I am to mine....Maybe she found a good home somewhere.

 

[deerman]

5 month old,and white free range!!! Lot of predators would take one that size, and white ones stand out. Sorry think something got it. No reason for her to leave.

 

[NateinFL]

I realize that, I was just trying to be optimistic....

 

[lorrir]

I'm still new at this so here goes my ignorance, I thought since she could fly and they roost pretty high up they would safe. She went missing at night. What kind of animal would be able to get to three peas on a roof top 2 stories high? I haven't had any real problems with predators, I've lost 2-3 free ranging hens this year. All RIRs

 

[NateinFL]

Anything and everything, especially since it is a juvenile peahen, predators pick up on that quick and no telling what could have snatched her, whether it was day or night, I had a bobcat kill my FULL grown male peacock last week, it was very upsetting.

 

[lorrir]

I guess when I order more in the spring I'll make sure I won't get any whites, she was so pretty.