Predator?

[roostersandhens]

I am so upset my hen (Hoot) cant be found! Hoot is/was a Cochin/Barred Rock/Black Ausralorp I was in Washington State for 5 days. The 4th day we received a call from my chicken sitter saying she couldn't fid one, I didn't know who but I was still crying.

(I love my chickens) My broody hen Olive (Couch girl) hatched/raised Hoot. She is/was about 6 - 7 months old. Here is a list of predators that have taken one of my chickens: Hawk and Coyote (long list huh). Here are the predators I know are at my house: Coyote, Hawk, Rarely Golden Eagle, Bob Cat, Raccoon, Mountain Lion, and that's all I can think of at the moment. I was thinking she possibly could have found a (very well hidden) hidden place to make a nest and is brooding? I always thought she seemed broody. I live out in the country achres of land, but they stay on the first 1 or 2. Where they like to be there are SO many thick bushes she could be brooding in, if brooding is even a possibility. I looked everywhere for her but there are so many bushes. She still could be out their somewhere. I sure hope so. She was so sweet and pretty and cute I miss her so much.

. My neighbors have chickens but they aren't close like a neighborhood, so I doubt she went over their. There were NO signs of any animal coming and eating her. No feathers, bones, foot prints, nothing. I appreciate help and replies. Thanks so much!
~Roostersandhens

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

Sorry for your loss

 

[DarthLayer]

If she went broody wait for her to come back for food during the day and after eating she will run off back to her nest so then you follow her back to see where she is at. I hope you find her.

 

[roostersandhens]

Do think I should put a camera in her coop to see if she does come back if she wasn't killed?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Look in, under, and around old farm equipment and autos. Search under and next to logs, stumps and rocks. In and amongst briars and brambles, in and under buildings are all places that hens like to steal their nests. I have even seen hens hatch clutches inside of standing hollow trees. I have noticed that more often than not if a hen steals her nest on the ground, she will steal it within 200 feet of her yard or walk and if the lay of the land allows it she will steal her nest below the height of the chicken yard. This allows her to walk away from her nest and return to the yard for food but it also makes it easier for the hen to fly (glide) back to her nest without leaving a trail of scent behind leading directly to her or to her clutch of eggs.

 

[roostersandhens]

If she successfully hatches chicks (if she's not dead) will she eventually come back permanently other than the times when she comes for food. Thanks for the replies so far, all very helpful. After reading chickengeorgeto's post I feel like I should look some more, I will! I really want to find my girl if she wasn't killed.
Thanks so Much, roostersandhens

 

[roostersandhens]

I FOUND HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHE WAS IN MY YARD I FOLLOWED HER TO HER NEST!!!! SHE'S ALIVE!!!!!!!!! I'M SO HAPPY!

 

[DarthLayer]

That's wonderful!!!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Kudus. Your off to a good start, now keep it up and we'll make a real hen wrangler out of you.

Here comes your first test. Where in your yard was her nest and how far off the ground was it?