Will they return?

[mrs_woodguy]

A bad bad dog got into my fortress of a coop Saturday. 8 confirmed casualities. I had 26 chickens. He have had 9 return. What are the chances I might have more show up I am devastated. We go looking in the woods but finding them is the needle in a haystack scenerio. Tell me they are just spooked and will find their way home.

 

[Magic Birdie]

I hope they will

 

[Fred's Hens]

Some will be returning, as they calm down. You may find others up in low hanging tree branches, especially ever-greens.

As for the dog? Load the gun, and S. S. S.

 

[mrs_woodguy]

I searched again today but all I saw were a couple of deer. But as they ran past I am sure I heard the clucking of startled chickens. I am desperately hoping that they are working their way home. This is taking much longer than I want. Any one have any suggestions on chicken luring techniques? My rooster is less than vocal these days. We have even tried playing rooster crowing on Youtube over the car stereo.

 

[artsy1]

i hope they come back.........

 

[Fred's Hens]

Did they used to come to you, using the scratch in a coffee can technique? If so, that'll help a lot, especially for hungry birds. If you never had a routine, such a sound would have no meaning to them now. Hoping the very best for you.

 

[daver]

I am also hoping the best. I really don't think that they are far, just good at hiding.

 

[mrs_woodguy]

I was so happy with my girls. They gave me the most beautiful dark brown, olive green and blue and and pinkish eggs. It was a treat every day to collect my prizes. The girls all got along well. It could not have been any better. Now the girls I have left are scared and worried. They make almost no noise at all. It is just sad. I would very much like to fast forward to a day when they come home and are happy satisfied chickens again.
I visited them every night and called them just as I call them in the woods. I never used a coffee can but I did feed them in a metal feeder. Maybe tomorrow I will go back and pour some feed in a tin and hope the are close enough to get to it. They are great at hiding believe me.

 

[poseygrace]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I feel your pain. Don't you hate when everything is going well and then BLAM, out of nowhere it gets destroyed. I hope they come back, but since it was several days ago I don't think the odds are good.

Your remaining chickens will settle down in a few days and you will feel better too. Just do what I did, learn where the weakness in the coop is and spend your angry energy making sure it never happens again! Hugs.

 

[real_redhead]

Good luck, I would try the food in the TIN and hope they hear it.