Runaway Roosters - HELP!

[nlove_3000]

So two days ago, my neighbors dogs came down, were able to jog the locking mechanism on my run, and killed four hens....I'm ticked. While I figure out how to handle the neighbor, I figured I'd get a roo or two to help keep an eye on the gals. There was a wonderful women that gifted me a gorgeous 1 year old Easter Egger roo, and a handsome Lakenvelder roo with two "matching" hens. I brought them home, let them into the run with a couple of my hens to feel out the situation. As I got ready to shew them into the coop to be on lockdown for a couple of nights, both roosters jumped onto the posts of the run and ran off.

My husband and I, and two of our daughters spent almost 2 hours trying to round them back towards the coop and run, and eventually one of them crossed the irrigation canal and went up a soft hill on the other side. My daughters went up the hill to try to run that one back down but he's hunkered down in brush we can't get to. The other one ran into a small patch of trees on the edge of the property.

I want the honest answer.....is there any chance of them coming back? They don't know my younger hens, but they came with two of their own... If there's any chance of catching them, what can I do to make it happen?

Thanks so much.

 

[CMV]

Honestly- they may come back... or they may get eaten by a predator being out by themselves overnight. Chickens are flock animals and will want to be together, so chances are good that they will hang around your birds and should be able to be rounded up fairly quickly. You'll likely find them hanging around outside your coop/run. Lure them in with some treats and then lock them up.

I gave a hen to some friends. She promptly took off over their fence after being there for about 2 hours. She ended up gone for the day, but came back at sunset, hopped back over the fence and waltzed into the coop. We all thought she was gone for good because of the new surroundings, but she came back. I guess a group of unfamiliar birds was better than no birds at all.

Good luck. I hope they come back. And sorry about your losses.

 

[sourland]

If they hear your hens singing, they may come back, or they may have been so traumatized by the chasing that they just keep running. If they come back, don't chase them. Watch where they roost at night and try to catch them while they are sleeping.

 

[Chicken D's mom]

It's dark now. Just curious if your Roos came back...I hope, I hope!

 

[highcountrychickens]

I'll be optimistic and say that they might come back - and hope

... but you asked for honesty...
-the truth is there is little reason for them to come back. Here's why: They didn't have the habit of establishment in your coop so the homing mechanism that would 'call them back' to roost at night just isn't there. You might try some feed around the gate just in case.

Here's some thought about your scenario: If one or both of these boys does come back (I SO hope they do) wonderful - but they won't allay your dog problem. Dogs that kill chickens also kill roosters - There is a lot of information on this site regarding laws protecting poultry owners about this - More than just being 'ticked', I would suggest you speak with some law enforcement people, lodge a complaint, and start the process for some checkbook therapy for the dog owners. a hefty lock for your gate and some electric fencing will help - but if you really would like a guard animal to kick some buns - I recommend a Llama

I would recommend that if you decide to go the Roo route again, only get one. It is a rare and wonderful thing for two Roos to get along, especially if they are thrown in to a whole new situation together. With your two, it is very likely that one of them would have killed, or very seriously injured the other.

SO sorry this happened!!

 

[nlove_3000]

Okay well this morning I could hear them both crowing from the same general direction....so when it started getting dusky i walked up the canal road to see what spot they picked out. I saw where they were, and that they were both together roosting in a tree. It's not quite "dark" but I spent about 45 minutes taking a step at a time. I got up to the branch they were on and realized they were 8 feet up. I gave the branch a small tug and they both woke and ran off. The hens though are happy, but pace when they hear the roosters call. In a day or two I plan on letting just a couple of hens range (once they know where home is). I don't think they'll come back to the hens without me doing that because they place they're hanging out is just barely out of the line of the view of the coop.... GRRRRRR. I'm going to be patient, keep listening for them...and soon, I hope the hens bring them home.

 

[Chicken D's mom]

I find it interesting that the roosters ended up together after running off in different directions. I think that means they definately don't want to be alone and were able to find each other. I'm also betting they will find your hens eventually, hopefully before a predator finds them. They were able to get onto a branch 8 ft. up, so they're relatively safe at night in a tree than being stuck on the ground and if a racoon approaches they can fly off.

I think they or at least one of them will find your hens....that's what roosters want. Get your girls making some noise if you can, then back off, and don't let the Roos see you, it's probably you they are afraid of. Free ranging your hens is a good idea. Try approaching the roosters from behind to startle them in the direction of your coop, but I agree, don't chase them.

How far away from the hens are they? Again, get the hens making noise. All I have to do is try to catch one of my hens and she SQUAWKS. Maybe one of the hens the roos came with.

Meanwhile, maybe the two roos being together and only having each other will mean that they will get along better when they finally do reach the coop

 

[nlove_3000]

I don't think these two roos will have too much trouble together. There are almost 30 hens and the two of them were in the same enclosure before. The gal had 5 roos. The EE roo I got was "second in command" and the Lakenvelder was last on the chain and knew it and never challenged anyone. So hopefully their behavior will be similar once they get back. They certainly were looking out for each other last night

 

[highcountrychickens]

Quote:
That is SO cool! I do hope you get them back! Any luck today?

 

[nlove_3000]

Well I totaly wrote like a 3 page story on how I did it, but the browser backed up when I hit the wrong button and deleted it. So I'll retype a more condensed version tomorrow. The short version is.....

I got them!!!! Both of them!!!! I feel like doing a dance! I'm so thrilled they're here and safe and locked in the coop with the ladies for a few days.