Rooster was chased off

[Tonia K]

Looking for advice (hope) from a more experienced chicken parent. Our stupid 5 lb terrier dog (who dashed out the door behind my little boy) chased our roo into a field of corn next to our house right before dusk last night. I was up before dawn and out walking the perimeter of the corn hoping to hear him crowing when the sun came up, no such luck! Any chance he will find his way back? I am afraid he will become disoriented in all the corn. Anyone have any experience with this? I am just sick over it, he is such a good roo and takes good care of my girls .

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

As long as nothing found him in the middle of the night he should return. Sorry.

 

[Tonia K]

As long as nothing found him in the middle of the night he should return. Sorry.

That is my fear. Surprised I didn't hear him. Thanks oldhenlikesdogs

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sometimes after a big fright they lay low for a bit, if he's not back by tomorrow I might think he's not coming back.

 

[centrarchid]

Walk fence row around field about 30 minutes before dark. Also check any trees that might be standing in the field. He may betray himself by cackling softly. Then collect him off the roost about an hour later.

 

[Tonia K]

Walk fence row around field about 30 minutes before dark. Also check any trees that might be standing in the field. He may betray himself by cackling softly. Then collect him off the roost about an hour later.

Thanks for your response centrarchid. There aren't any trees he could get into. But I am definitely walking the perimeter again tonight as I have done several time today Trying to remain hopeful!

 

[cluckey]

I know how you feel. We picked up a new (our first) rooster on Saturday. Had him at the farm for a total of 4 min, reached in to put water and food in and he leaped out and ran off into the woods. I chased him and lost sight/sound of him fairly quickly. I Thought for sure he would not come back. Monday morning (yesterday) I woke up to hearing a crow but couldnt see him or locate exactly where he was. Our whole property is surrounded by woods. Didnt hear him after that and about an hour before sunset here he comes strutting out of the woods! My husband and i kept an eye on him until he found a spot to roost for the night. We waited until it got fully dark out then made our move. It wasnt the smoothest capture, we lost some tail feathers in the process but we got him. And this is after 2 full days of hearing nothing from him. Hopefully your guy will get lonely and show up. I've heard that walking around with a hen upside down near where he took off helps...I think they can smell their scent and be lured out. Also try a live trap during the day, maybe he'll stumble into it. Good luck!

 

[Tonia K]

Tha

...

I know how you feel. We picked up a new (our first) rooster on Saturday. Had him at the farm for a total of 4 min, reached in to put water and food in and he leaped out and ran off into the woods. I chased him and lost sight/sound of him fairly quickly. I Thought for sure he would not come back. Monday morning (yesterday) I woke up to hearing a crow but couldnt see him or locate exactly where he was. Our whole property is surrounded by woods. Didnt hear him after that and about an hour before sunset here he comes strutting out of the woods! My husband and i kept an eye on him until he found a spot to roost for the night. We waited until it got fully dark out then made our move. It wasnt the smoothest capture, we lost some tail feathers in the process but we got him. And this is after 2 full days of hearing nothing from him. Hopefully your guy will get lonely and show up. I've heard that walking around with a hen upside down near where he took off helps...I think they can smell their scent and be lured out. Also try a live trap during the day, maybe he'll stumble into it. Good luck!

 

[Tonia K]

Thanks cluckey. I keep holding out hope. My girls seems to be looking for him. When they go in to roost at night they check the laying boxes as that is where he sleeps.I fear a predator may have gotten him but haven't given up.Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[Tonia K]

**Update** Sadly, he has not returned. No Sight OR Sounds Of him. At this point I am doubtful that he is ok.