Where are my chickens??

[dianneS]

I kept all of the chickens in the henhouse yesterday rather than turning them out. Usually they are free range during the day and stay locked up at night. My hen that has 7 half grown chicks, took off this morning and I haven't seen them since! Everyone else is here and accounted for but I can't find mom or the kids at all! Will they come back tonight when it gets dark? Why did they run off like this? They've never done this before.

 

[scooter147]

If something hasn't gotten them they should be back.
Do you have woods close by, do you have a lot of place to "hide" like numerous outbuildings, stuff like that?
She simply could have taken them off and they are dust bathing somewhere.
Are the other chickens spooked?

 

[dianneS]

Everyone seems fine. There are lots of places to hide. The landscaping, we have woods too. They were headed toward the woods this morning, but I haven't seen them lately. Maybe they went over to the neighbors! I think they will be back later, at least I hope so!