Missing Chicken: Questions

[23zwilson]

Yesterday, while closing my chickens in their coop, one of my chickens wasn't there. There's no trace of any feathers or blood. Although it could be a fox or a coyote, I'm trying to stay hopeful that it could be something else. The neighbors two houses down have a flock of chickens. I was wondering if there could be any way that she went to their flock and stayed? Its hard to tell, especially since their chickens are mainly the same breed as the one I lost.

 

[Gray Farms]

Check with the neighbors. If she got lost she'll likely seek out other chickens if she can hear them.

 

[aart]

Yesterday, while closing my chickens in their coop, one of my chickens wasn't there. There's no trace of any feathers or blood. Although it could be a fox or a coyote, I'm trying to stay hopeful that it could be something else. The neighbors two houses down have a flock of chickens. I was wondering if there could be any way that she went to their flock and stayed? Its hard to tell, especially since their chickens are mainly the same breed as the one I lost.

Do you, or they, have a cock/erel?

Might be good to band your birds so you know which are yours?

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @23zwilson
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[23zwilson]

Do you, or they, have a cock/erel?

Might be good to band your birds so you know which are yours?

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @23zwilson
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2362149

I just have 4 hens, I'll look into banding them. Thank you very much for responding. I live in duncannon, pennsylvania. She still hasn't come back, so it's possible she could've been taken by an animal. But its very confusing because it had to have happened during the day, and foxes/coyotes wouldnt come out during the day. So we arent sure what couldve taken her amd not left any trace. Thank you for your response.

 

[23zwilson]

Check with the neighbors. If she got lost she'll likely seek out other chickens if she can hear them.

Thank you, I checked in with them and they told me that I could look at their chickens to see if one is mine. I'll have to find a picture of her to really tell, but none of them seemed to look like her exactly. They also all seemed to be very skiddish. My chickens aren't completely tame, but I've found that they run up to me when they see me. Thank you for you response, I thought that I was crazy to think she could've joined another flock. I'll make sure to double check on the neighbors flock!

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

I just have 4 hens, I'll look into banding them. Thank you very much for responding. I live in duncannon, pennsylvania. She still hasn't come back, so it's possible she could've been taken by an animal. But its very confusing because it had to have happened during the day, and foxes/coyotes wouldnt come out during the day. So we arent sure what couldve taken her amd not left any trace. Thank you for your response.

Foxes and coyotes absolutely come out during the day. They are opportunist and will hunt when ever easy prey is accessible. Hawks can also grab a chicken during the day with out a trace.

 

[neo71665]

Foxes and coyotes absolutely come out during the day. They are opportunist and will hunt when ever easy prey is accessible. Hawks can also grab a chicken during the day with out a trace.

100% truth. Last fox I shot was at 1pm.

 

[23zwilson]

Foxes and coyotes absolutely come out during the day. They are opportunist and will hunt when ever easy prey is accessible. Hawks can also grab a chicken during the day with out a trace.

Oh, thank you very much for telling me. That is most likely the case then. I'll still keep an eye out, but she hasn't been back for 2 days and its starting to look like she didn't run away. Thank you very much. Do you have any advice on preventing this? Should I keep a close eye on them all day? They roam free in the yard and the neighbors yard so I haven't had to worry about them getting into trouble until now.

 

[Gray Farms]

I've been fighting a fox for over a week. He lays out in the yard watching the ducks in the afternoon. Finally caught him last night. He killed 4 geese and 4 ducks. He was killing in the middle of the afternoon to early evening. Dang varmints!

 

[aart]

But its very confusing because it had to have happened during the day, and foxes/coyotes wouldnt come out during the day.

Canines will hunt during the day, most hawks would leave a mess of feathers unless bird is very small.

Do you have any advice on preventing this?

Keep them in a run.