Wandered off! Please help!! :(

[craig1980]

I am new to the forum and hoping to get some answers and ideas. (and maybe even some comfort) I have had six Rhode Island Reds for about two months. When I first got them they were kept in their 8x8 coup for one month to get them acclimated to "home" after that I let them free range daily. They all just started laying and for the most part stayed close to their coup, but tonight between 3:00pm and 5Pm four out of the six were no where to be found. As dusk approached I looked and called everywhere around the property. I continued to call and look for hours after dark and still nothing. I checked and rechecked their favorite spots, trees, etc. Still nothing! I live in a pretty rural place with hundreds of acres around me and only one neighbor. Not only am I worried, but I keep reviewing what could have happened. Did a predator get them? did the neighbor take them? are they lost? How are all four gone? Any suggestions, ideas, or similar stories please share. Thank you!

 

[Yukonn15]

Craig1980,
That's a tough one. If your chicks were doing well and staying around the area, it sounds like a predator. But that's alot of chick to disappear in two hours. Maybe a family of raccoons? We've had that. Other than that, if they did wander too far they can't see well in the dark, they might have bedded down somewhere nearby then come back in the morning. We also have had that. When we have young ones we teach them to come running to the sound of birdseed in their feeder scoop. We shake it and spill a little on the ground so they can see it and then they are hooked. Now I can walk out side and call chick, chick,chick and they come running. We also have dogs which have saved our chicks life and our ducks life. We have also used a trail cam to take photos for us that helped. Sorry about your chicks

 

[craig1980]

I really hate to think this but if predators got them will I find any evidence of such? I'm really hoping they are back in the morning. I keep checking the door of the coup thinking maybe just maybe they will be there. I am blaming myself for letting them free range but I wanted them to have the happiest life I could provide them.

 

[Teila]

Hey craig1980 Welcome to BYC; I wish it could be under better circumstances that you join us. I am sorry to read of the worry you are going through.

Please do not blame yourself for letting them free range, the month you kept them locked up and the month they have been free ranging is ample time for them to learn where home is and where all the safe spots to hide are.

Something may have spooked them and they have gone into hiding as a result. They will most likely not move during the night so hopefully they are tucked away somewhere safe. If they heard your voice they may respond vocally while dark but they will not move in the dark.

If predators have got them, which I so hope is not the case, it depends on the predator as to whether you will see evidence.

I have everything crossed that you wake up tomorrow (if you manage to sleep, I know I would not sleep well) and they are back home demanding breakfast and with a story to tell of their adventures

 

[craig1980]

6:30 am plenty of daylight and still no chickens. I will walk the property but will be leaving for work shortly...............Thanks for the reply's. I read one story hear last night where someone's chickens returned mid morning. I hope this is the case for me.

 

[craig1980]

My wife just called me from home. One chicken has returned!! Crazy to think she spend two nights out in the wild. Not sure now what happened. Maybe they wandered off? Maybe scatted by a predator? Maybe both....Just really hoping the other three are safe as well and return.

 

[proud-armywife]

So glad one returned... Hoping the rest follow!