Pullet disappeared

[Wolfefarmyard]

Today is a bit of a sad day... 3 weeks ago we bought 2 Ameraucana pullets and a buff Orpington pullet. When we brought them home, they integrated so smoothly into our laying flock. One in particular, The Buff Orp, which we named Penny was the most personable little thing. She was so small, but would go steal food from the other hens mouths! Not only was she bold, but she followed me everywhere! She LOVED to accompany me while I did chores. So anyways, that brings us to today... We free range our laying flock, but they always stay close to the coop. We heard some squawking, so we ran outside. The flock was in the wood shed, hiding under pallets. To my dismay, their were two missing. Seca which is one of our hens that we raised inside the house, and Penny! I couldn't help myself, I feared the worst. I began to get frazzled, and searched for then everywhere. Now we own 31 acres, but the coop sits right next to our house. And as I said the chickens ALWAYS stay close to the coop and wood shed. We do have foxes that took a chicken last year, but it was shot because it looked to be ill (possibly rabies) So we don't have to worry about foxes any more and haven't seen one since. We do have some hawks as well, but I haven't seen any lately and I don't think that a hawk would get them if they were in the wood shed. Another possibility is coyotees, we have a lot of them. But they never even come close to the house (We know this because we have trail cams) Plus this happened around lunch time. I also think that it should be noted that there are no feathers anywhere.
I do have some good news, when I went back out, we found Seca! When I saw her I began to tear up and scooped her up to snuggle.

Now it's night and the flock is locked up in their coop, still no Penny

I wonder what could have possibly happened to her?!

 

[paramount]

You might find that Penny vanishes for a few weeks and reappears with a bunch of kids. It's getting to be that time of year.

This commonly occurs in flocks that are allowed considerable liberty to range.

 

[SueT]

Just because one single fox was killed last year, and you don't see coyotes on trail cams is not a reason to feel safe from either species. They can and do come out at all times of day, without us ever seeing them. Ditto w bobcats, Great Horned Owls, raccoons, tho I don't think those latter 2 could carry off an adult chicken without a trace.
Best to lock everyone up for a while to be safe. The predator, whatever it is, will surely return. I've lost a bird lately and the rest are so unhappy to be confined, but oh well.
Anyway, good luck!

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

You might find that Penny vanishes for a few weeks and reappears with a bunch of kids. It's getting to be that time of year.

This commonly occurs in flocks that are allowed considerable liberty to range.

I wish, but she hadn't even started laying yet. She's only 3 months old

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

Just because one single fox was killed last year, and you don't see coyotes on trail cams is not a reason to feel safe from either species. They can and do come out at all times of day, without us ever seeing them. Ditto w bobcats, Great Horned Owls, raccoons, tho I don't think those latter 2 could carry off an adult chicken without a trace.
Best to lock everyone up for a while to be safe. The predator, whatever it is, will surely return. I've lost a bird lately and the rest are so unhappy to be confined, but oh well.
Anyway, good luck!

I know, but unfortunately we can't keep them cooped up for while. We don't have a run.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Today is a bit of a sad day... 3 weeks ago we bought 2 Ameraucana pullets and a buff Orpington pullet. When we brought them home, they integrated so smoothly into our laying flock. One in particular, The Buff Orp, which we named Penny was the most personable little thing. She was so small, but would go steal food from the other hens mouths! Not only was she bold, but she followed me everywhere! She LOVED to accompany me while I did chores. So anyways, that brings us to today... We free range our laying flock, but they always stay close to the coop. We heard some squawking, so we ran outside. The flock was in the wood shed, hiding under pallets. To my dismay, their were two missing. Seca which is one of our hens that we raised inside the house, and Penny! I couldn't help myself, I feared the worst. I began to get frazzled, and searched for then everywhere. Now we own 31 acres, but the coop sits right next to our house. And as I said the chickens ALWAYS stay close to the coop and wood shed. We do have foxes that took a chicken last year, but it was shot because it looked to be ill (possibly rabies) So we don't have to worry about foxes any more and haven't seen one since. We do have some hawks as well, but I haven't seen any lately and I don't think that a hawk would get them if they were in the wood shed. Another possibility is coyotees, we have a lot of them. But they never even come close to the house (We know this because we have trail cams) Plus this happened around lunch time. I also think that it should be noted that there are no feathers anywhere.
I do have some good news, when I went back out, we found Seca! When I saw her I began to tear up and scooped her up to snuggle.

Now it's night and the flock is locked up in their coop, still no Penny

I wonder what could have possibly happened to her?!

Sorry to say she may be lost for good or show up as your Seca has

 

[paramount]

I wish, but she hadn't even started laying yet. She's only 3 months old

That would indeed be a bit too young to start setting.

 

[red horse ranch]

Look over, under and around everything! If she was scared she might be in a spot that she can't get out of. I found one of my hens inside a roll of fence last summer. She got in it but couldn't get back out. She died before I found her. I do hope you find your Penny.