Vanished hen

[Vsackett]

Thanks.

 

[sourland]

'Snatch grab' predator, fox/coyote/bobcat or hopefully she is setting on a hidden nest. Have you searched the backyard?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Suburban/rural development. Lots of trees. I've seen an occasional hawk this summer and some black vultures. I did lose a hen after a snowstorm this past February to a hawk, but there were feathers everywhere and he/she ate her where she was killed. No roaming dogs or cats or other suspects. She's gone, without a trace. It's been several days. I have 2 pullets that were like shadows to her. I hoped they might take me to her if she was broody and hiding. No luck. It is a problem with free ranging.

A short description of your location like Vermont, or The Texas Panhandle will always help others advise you as to what may be going on with your flock.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

'Snatch grab' predator, fox/coyote/bobcat or hopefully she is setting on a hidden nest. Have you searched the backyard?

I have rarely found a nest once the hen took to it. However like what goes up must come down, a hen who leave her nest to do hen things must soon return to her hidden clutch. You need to be on hand when she comes clucking around to feed and then sit quietly and observe where she goes back to ground. Then it is easy to find out where she has secreted her nest.

As a child I practiced this art religiously because X number of hen eggs would buy you an all day sucker off of the rolling store.

 

[Vsackett]

A short description of your location like Vermont, or The Texas Panhandle will always help others advise you as to what may be going on with your flock.

Cape May County, NJ.

 

[Vsackett]

I have rarely found a nest once the hen took to it. However like what goes up must come down, a hen who leave her nest to do hen things must soon return to her hidden clutch. You need to be on hand when she comes clucking around to feed and then sit quietly and observe where she goes back to ground. Then it is easy to find out where she has secreted her nest.

As a child I practiced this art religiously because X number of hen eggs would buy you an all day sucker off of the rolling store.

I've been watching as much as I can. I've also been watching my two new pullets that followed her around. So far no luck.

Thanks.

 

[Vsackett]

'Snatch grab' predator, fox/coyote/bobcat or hopefully she is setting on a hidden nest. Have you searched the backyard?

I've searched everywhere. Under trees, bushes, sheds with no luck.

 

[aart]

Cape May County, NJ.

You can add that to your profile so it always show under your avatar.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[Vsackett]

Thanks.

 

[Vsackett]

I got a fleeting glance of her but wasn't able to see where she went. I'm just happy she's alive. Thanks for all your suggestions.

Oh, I did see a coyote Tuesday morning about 5 miles from here.