Pullet went missing today - rest of flock going nuts - advice?

[allieszoo]

Came home today to find the door to run open (still haven't figured that out yet, but more important things now) My pullets were scattered, two under a bush and two hiding in the shop. My rooster and one pullet were gone. Spent most of the early evening searching.

My rooster has just returned home (got dark about an hour ago) and literally appeared out of thin air - we were still outside trying to find the two missing chickens - my last pullet has not returned.

My rooster is going nuts to get out of the coop. So are two of my other pullets. Everyone is peeping/chirping like crazy. We are still looking for the missing pullet. My questions are this:

Should I let the rooster out with us to help look for her...he keeps pecking at the door.

Anything I can do to help settle the rest of the flock down?

Normally everyone has roosted for the evening and is quiet at this point. I understand the missing pullet is upsetting them. But is there anyway to help calm them?

What are the chances of her coming home at this point since sundown was an hour ago? She has been missing since about 5pm (when we came home) and it is 9 now...that is a bad bad sign isn't it?

The run wasn't chewed or dug into -- the door had been opened - like by a human. We are pretty sure that one of the neighborhood kid opened the run to "pet" the chickens and my guess is they ran out/ran away from kids. We are addressing the security of the run and such this evening.

I am just worried that my pullet is around and hurt. Do scared/hurt chickens send out that distress peep?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Search the coop really well. Make sure a snake, possum, raccoon, something like that is not hiding in there. Go do that. I’ll type some more whole you are gone.

 

[nbenevento]

I don't know the right answer but I will say this; it is not a good sign that your pulley isn't back. Do they ever free range? If it was there first time out, they probably wouldn't have gone far and probably would have stayed near your rooster. On the other hand, something may have spooked her and she got a little confused and couldn't find her way back. I just don't know if I would risk anymore going missing by letting any out to look for her. Sorry I'm not much help. I do hope she comes back though. Oh and what is the predator situation in your area?

 

[Ridgerunner]

It’s unusual for chickens to be that worried while in the coop, even if something was in there earlier. I’ve had them act really upset when a possum or big snake was in the coop, but they calmed right down when I took care of the problem.

I have had hens show up the next morning after a dog attack. She stayed out all night, probably hiding in a tree, and just showed up at daybreak. I’ve also had them not show up, just disappear forever.

To me, it sounds like more than just a kid scaring them. Maybe a kid with a dog or maybe they left the door open and something else found its way in.

Probably not a whole lot more you can do tonight. Just make sure you secure that door tomorrow. Let us know what happens.

 

[allieszoo]

Search the coop really well. Make sure a snake, possum, raccoon, something like that is not hiding in there. Go do that. I’ll type some more whole you are gone.

My husband just checked the whole coop top to bottom and its clear. All but one pullet and the rooster has settled down.

They do normally range in the yard. I only use the run when no one is home. They free range about 75%.of the time. Which was why I was shocked to find them scattered. They normally stay together and close to the coop and shop.

We are adding some temporary security tonight and permanent fix tomorrow. I do hope she shows up at daybreak.

 

[allieszoo]

Oh and predators in our area are snakes, opposum, raccoons, stray dogs and cats.

 

[GuppyTJ]

Allieszoo, Did your pullet come home? Where you ever able to determine what spooked them? Also, what type of chicken is that in your profile picture? I have a "mystery" chick that looks very similar but I don't know the breed and I've been trying to find out.

Guppy

 

[allieszoo]

My pullet did come home! I was just about to come on and update.

This afternoon I was out working in the yard and she just wondered into the yard and joined the flock. I checked her over and she was completely unharmed. I was seriously shocked.

Still have no idea what spooked them so bad but did secure the run.

The chick in my profile is a mystery chick for me as well. I got him as a rescue and have no idea what it is. I just took some updated pics of him today as the chick is now a couple weeks old and was hoping someone here might know.

 

[GuppyTJ]

Allieszoo,

Very glad your pullet came back. Must have been such a relief! Here is my mystery chick at 5 weeks old. She (he) sure is pretty! She has a rose comb, I believe. All my others have a straight comb.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

My pullet did come home! I was just about to come on and update.

This afternoon I was out working in the yard and she just wondered into the yard and joined the flock. I checked her over and she was completely unharmed. I was seriously shocked.

That is fantastic news! I'm happy for all of you! What a savvy girl she is, to keep herself safe out there.