One of my hens is missing

[Lostchook]

They are allowed to free roam in the garden during the day. It’s enclosed but not chicken proof. At night they always take themselves back into their coop and then I shut them up but tonight one of the four is missing. I have searched the garden but it’s dark and hard to see even with a torch. No sound or sight though :( how likely is it that she’s just hiding quietly somewhere and will reappear? Feeling terribly sad about it.

Best chance is that she is broody somewhere. They will hide down as much as possible and not respond. Have you been short on eggs?

I lost all of mine recently, fox got them all 😢

I’m so sorry, that must have been awful ♥️

Eggs are a bit inconsistent as they’re young hens and have only recently started laying, but I have noticed a couple laid in the garden. Hopefully she’s just tucked away somewhere quiet and I’ll be able to find her in the morning. We are surrounded by farmland so I do worry about foxes, though there aren’t any feathers etc and I’ve been home all day and heard no commotion.

Finger's crossed then. It isn't unusual for them to go broody unexpectedly and even when they are young.

People that don't have chickens can't begin to understand how they have such great personalities, I've been as sad losing my chickens as I have dogs. Really hope she is just broody, no noise or feathers is a good sign.

Sadly she may have been taken by a fox but there is a chance that she’s nesting somewhere and will appear in the morning. I know how fond we get of our chickens so I very much sympathise.

I’m sure you know if if a fox has taken her, it will come back looking for more so keep your hens safely locked up for at least a week. It’s a fine balance between giving them free range while knowing it makes them vulnerable.

That’s good advice, thank you. I have a run which is fully enclosed and fox proof which I can keep them in for a week so I’ll do that just in case if she doesn’t come back.

They really do have lovely personalities and funny ways. She’s a sweet girl, I will be so sad if she’s gone for good.

Mine went missing and was found in a low tree sitting on a load of eggs bless her

I so hope that’s the outcome for us too! I will update if we find her tomorrow ♥️

Yup, ours always end up 50-100cm off the ground (knee to waist high ish). Try there! If she’s young they may still be establishing their pecking order and she’s not confident going in the coop or is being bullied. I’d check thoroughly now as it’s awful finding just feathers in the morning (or worse!) and we’re exceptionally careful but it’s still happened, sadly.

Good luck finding her!

🐣🐥🐓

I’m sorry to say it’s a sad update - she got onto the road and was hit by a car. We’re terribly sad.

Thank you for being kind last night x

I'm so sorry to read this. She had a better life than 99% of the worlds chickens, being free range has its risks but are out weighed by the rewards.
Better to have a half, full life instead of a full, half life.

So sorry @Lostchook, awful for you to find her like that. However, no fox problem so the others are safe. My heart goes out to you.