Chicken Went Under Coop! Help!!!

[Bees knees]

UPDATE!!! We got her out! I couldn’t leave her out there tonight because she definitely would’ve gotten eaten; we have a lot of raccoons that have picked off chickens before. It was way too heavy to lift, but we were able to move around some loose cinderblocks underneath of it. I was able to grab her quick enough before she could run away. Thank you so much for the advice and calming me down lol

So I have a silky chicken who just went under my coupe. She is not fully grown yet, But is close to it. The coupe is 6 feet high 8 feet long and 4 feet in width made of wood and it’s sitting on top of cinderblocks. Well, the cinderblocks have spaces in between them and it creates a tunnel directly underneath the coupe. The other chickens are out and about and seem to have no interest in going under there, but she went under there and is refusing to come out. I tried to get her out with a type of hook, but that only made her walk in further. I left a flashlight at the entrance, hoping that it will guide her out because it is very dark under there. Are they smart enough to get out on their own? I’m worried she’s just going to sit in the dark in there and just starve to death. By the way, I will block it off so that no one else can get under there once I get her out.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

So I have a silky chicken who just went under my coupe. She is not fully grown yet, But is close to it. The coupe is 6 feet high 8 feet long and 4 feet in width made of wood and it’s sitting on top of cinderblocks. Well, the cinderblocks have spaces in between them and it creates a tunnel directly underneath the coupe. The other chickens are out and about and seem to have no interest in going under there, but she went under there and is refusing to come out. I tried to get her out with a type of hook, but that only made her walk in further. I left a flashlight at the entrance, hoping that it will guide her out because it is very dark under there. Are they smart enough to get out on their own? I’m worried she’s just going to sit in the dark in there and just starve to death. By the way, I will block it off so that no one else can get under there once I get her out.

Could you put some seed, or some other treat, outside the entrance to encourage her to come out?

 

[WingItRanch]

Try giving the others treats and make sure to shake whatever container the treats are in. The noises of pleasure from the others may entice her to come out. For the flashlight, make sure it's not pointed directly under the coop so you don't accidently blinder and confuse her. If you see her poke her head out, don't grab at her. Just let her come out on her own otherwise you may scare her back under.

It will be OK! Don't panic!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How old is she? Could she be laying eggs under there?

 

[fowltemptress]

Unless there's a way for her to get trapped in there she won't just sit and starve, so don't worry. You say she's still young so I'm sure she'll come out soon, but in the future if she ever goes in and doesn't come out, I'd bet money on her being broody down there. If you don't want that to happen you'll have to block the area off.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens! Everyone above has already said some very helpful stuff. Treats are usually helpful. Do you have a rooster or anything that could tidbit to call her out? I've had young birds hide under buildings before and it helped to have their hatching mother call them out.

 

[Bees knees]

Could you put some seed, or some other treat, outside the entrance to encourage her to come out?

I did have food outside of it. But she doesn’t seem interested. My husband gets home in a little while, and I think he’ll be able to lift the coop up on the one end so I can crawl under the air and move some cinderblocks around and hopefully get her out. Fingers crossed.

 

[Bees knees]

How old is she? Could she be laying eggs under there?

Not old enough for egg laying yet. They don’t go outside often, so I think maybe she just got freaked out and looked for a place to hide. :/

 

[Bees knees]

Try giving the others treats and make sure to shake whatever container the treats are in. The noises of pleasure from the others may entice her to come out. For the flashlight, make sure it's not pointed directly under the coop so you don't accidently blinder and confuse her. If you see her poke her head out, don't grab at her. Just let her come out on her own otherwise you may scare her back under.

It will be OK! Don't panic!

OK, thank you for easing my nerves. My husband is coming home soon. It is dark out so I can’t leave her under there. He should be able to lift up the one side so that I can crawl under and move some of the cinderblocks out of the way to get to her

 

[orelsi]

Yeah if nothing works just lift it a bit and reach in. Chickens have trouble walking backwards, so if her way forward is blocked by something (forgotten pieces of wood or cinder) she won't be able to come out on her own. I had one stuck under a coop without a passage forward. Had to remove some of the base on the side to let her crawl out.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.