repost: strange hen behavior

[bluegiantsc]

I actually put this up earlier today on the managing flocks forum, i didn't know where to put it.
But my hen went missing last night, she came back this morning and now shes gone again.
I saw her not too long ago, she was panting and holding her wings out to ventilate (shes black and its over 100 today) She came back to drink i guess, she hasn't had any water since this morning. I put the roo in the run because i didn't know what was happening. She won't let me catch her and she won't come to me. Now shes gone again somewhere in the woods. It looks like its about to storm and i have no idea how to find and catch her. I've been out almost all day with my roo looking for her. (hes distraught)

We did change things up with their house and they got a new run yesterday and i wasn't here to put them up last night. Could that be what the problem is? or maybe the fireworks from last night? She doesn't appear to be hurt or anything, just hot as hell.

What should i do?
Thanks guys!

 

[sourland]

It sounds as if she has gone broody on a hidden nest.

 

[bluegiantsc]

Haha thats what someone else said. It makes sense but it really sucks. She unfortunately is somewhere on the 4 acres that isnt fenced in or cleared out. And her watrr source is the pond and waterers in our yard. Hopefully i can find and move her and her clutch so she doesnt die in the heat.

 

[bluegiantsc]

I followed her into the woods today and she sent me on a wild chicken chase. I as a full sized adult was not made to go where chickens go, i was not made to tromp through our woods and eat spiders. I should have just let her be, but my curiosity got the best of me and i followed her. I lost her somewhere when i was trying not to walk into a HUGE spider web, shes close to the house but well hidden. Shes crafty and unharmed.


Will she bring the chicks back to the house after they hatch and she starts thinking normally again? She still comes home to eat and drink and see the rooster, so i know she knows where home is. I just don't want a flock of wild chicks in the woods around our house.