they didn't come home tonight ...

[millivanilli]

I visited this forum a lot and got good advice, but I decided to join tonight after searching online for 'chickens didn't come home at night'

I was relieved to see another post about this happening from time to time in the behavior section, not the emergency section.

Last summer a friend gave me a coop with a duck. Last fall, I bought 2 retired layers to keep the duck company. The duck was so messy, I felt sorry for the girls and sent the duck to live at my man friends, he has a big pond, bigger coops, more land.

To my surprise, come spring, my "retired" layers began laying daily. I let them out to roam the yard, because they are happier and more productive.

They are quite predictable.

Tonight I went at dusk to lock them up. No familiar noise .. no hens!
I looked on the roofs and all their usual spots. I looked around with a flashlight.
I heard some weird coyote or fox yipping in the woods. But no chicken noise.

Last I saw them was around 6:30 pm, I was cleaning the pool and they came to be nosy, they were close to the house for awhile after.

My man friend said they probably were out too far, couldn't get back, and will roost in a tree.
The days HAVE been shortening .... maybe dusk sprung up on them.
But they have NEVER done this.
I'm really worried about them.

When they get home tomorrow, they are going to be GROUNDED!

Well thanks for listening. I better go to bed so I can get up early, but I won't be able to sleep.

I'll post pix and stuff when I have my computer.
My girls are Milli and Vanilli - they're RI Reddish sex links.
My man friend said if they don't come back, he'll give me some of his.
He's trying to help.
I want my girls :-(

 

[highaltidoodles]

Aaw

I'm so sorry. I hope you find them

Post on your forum in the morning, and let me know if you find your babies. Good luck.

 

[PartyOnARoost]

Yes keep them in their coop for a week and don't let them out to let them get used to the coop and know that that is where they will sleep and eat and drink... Let's hope that they survive the night... I have my hens in a coop lockdown currently because they need to get used to and know that this is their new coop. I recently built a new coop finished today and this is their first night... They are sleeping in their run tonight actually because they don't know the coop yet, and they will stay in there for a week or two until they figure it out... But good thing is, I don't have to worry about them free ranging anymore!!! I have a week worry free night!!!

Hope your chickens return tomorrow, if not, I will see you in the predators and pests thread... Pray!!!

 

[millivanilli]

Thank you for the support.

Thank goodness when I got up and looked out the window I saw reddish golden chicken butt in the coop. I was kind of bummed when I got out there and there was only one; the second didn't come when called.

But sometimes she doesn't anyway, she can be more aloof and withdrawn, does her own thing.
I found her in a usual spot down by the road scratching for bugs. I tried to lure her w/ the food cup, but she didn't care. So I caught her and gave her the old I was so worried about you speech.
Then locked her up in the Big House with her partner in crime

I will keep them locked up for at least a week to try to not let this be a habit.

Then I guess try them out again. They've lived here almost a year, they probaly know their yard and coop better than anyone. There are dangers outside the coop, but it seems kind of unnatural and depressing to never let them out again.

Suggestions and feedback are welcome.
Thanks again for caring.
I'm so glad my girls are home

 

[PartyOnARoost]

Yay!!!! Great happy you found them!!!!!!!

 

[millivanilli]

OMG, it is sooo boring around here with Milli and Vanili in lockup from not coming home Friday night.

I have to feed them quick and slam the door shut as they rush me to try to get out.
They give me the evil eye and make that weird noise.
They missed lawn mowing day, and all those grass clippings are sitting out there going to waste.
Tomorrow is back to work so they have no chance of "parole" until next weekend.
I'm a little worried they will pull the same stunt, so I might make them stay 2 weeks instead of 1 week.

But it's so boring without them running around the yard!
Just venting ...

 

[PartyOnARoost]

I know how you feel. Next Friday it's back to free ranging for me. The chickens finally go to sleep on the roost now. They are starting to get it, but still need to more...

 

[millivanilli]

Today was one week and I decided to spring Milli and Vanilli out of the big house for good behavior.
They seem to have rehabbed in lockup, now when I go outside they're stepping on the back of my feet following me around.
I went out in the evening and got them to come in with a cup of food.
Now that the days are shortening, I think I will continue to do that.
Here they are in the yard with a tomato I gave them. I'm so glad to have them home and back to normal.

 

[Zipperman10]

This is a comforting story. You guessed it, one of our girls was not in the coop tonight. They've been getting over the fence into the neighbours' yards and the nature reserve behind our house. Unleashed dogs and foxes are a constant worry. I clipped their wings this week, but the grass is obviously greener on the other side of the fence. They're young. Teenagers really, and they do have a habit of staying out late. I'm hoping the errant one was simply preoccupied scratching for bugs and the dark closed in on her. Chooks are pretty good at finding hidey-holes to camp in, so here's hoping... I'm just typing out of anxiety really - it will be hard to sleep tonight ("it's only a chicken" I keep telling myself). If she shows up tomorrow, she will be SO grounded! Anyway, I take considerable comfort in knowing that sometimes there's a happy ending!