[SusieB]

I have been out to put my chicken to bed (down to one chuck as the others have died) and she's disappeared.  She doesn't wander and comes when called (in the hope of treats).  What might have happened?  Could it be the buzzard?  Would there be feathers left if it was?  It's dark now and I don't know what to do.  Should I leave the coop door open, or will the fox know exactly where she is if she comes home?

[joyfull]

if it was me I would leave the coop open just in case - she may be hiding if there has been a preditor around or she may injured and waiting for the coast to be clear. Go out and check again (with a torch) before you go to bed just in case she is back and then you can shut her up. I have had some of mine go missing for a couple of days at a time and they still returned ok, fingers crossed for you xx

[New shoot]

Hope you find her or she does show up.  Have you tried shining a torch into any bushes or trees you have in your garden.  They do sometimes take it into their heads to roost outside.

[SusieB]

I've spent the last 2 hours looking, not a sign.  Will keep going out every so often till I go to bed.   Fingers crossed that she's sat on the back doorstep in the morning.

[whistler]

Oh Susie,  I'm so sorry, maybe she'll come back in, I'd leave the coop door open for her. Do let us know if she's home in the morning.

[ehs284]

If she decided that it was too dark to get from where she was to the coop, then she will have found the safest close place and she won't leave it until daylight. Best thing is just to leave it until morning and then she'll probably meet you when you go out. It's happened a few times to us. We used to worry, but now know that they will be sensible and safe.

[SusieB]

Thanks to everybody - fingers crossed till morning.

[Pol]

Keep fingers crossed she turn up in the morning

[bantam novice]

So sorry to hear about your hen, SusieB.  Fingers, toes and everything crossed she returns in one piece.  keep us posted

[Tigerwren]

Susie B, just wanted to say I am keeping everything crossed that maybe she is roosting somewhere to keep safe and she will return in the morning.  I know exactly how you feel as I lost my first hen this week (I think a neighbour's dog had her) and I could find no sign other than a few feathers.  Hopefully yours will be a happy story that turns out well in the end.  Hang in there!

[themagicaltoad1]

I hope she turns up safe and well for you. She must be very lonely on her, own and probably more scared than she would be with a couple of friends to keep her company, are you planning on getting anymore for her to be with?

[hillfooter]

I had one of my bantam hens fail to return one night a couple of weeks ago when the temp was 6 below.  I looked everywhere for her with a torch to no avail and I was convinced she'd been taken by a fox.  However in the morning there she was waiting by the back door for her morning treat none the worse for being out all night.
Hope you have similar luck.
HF

[wolverine]

I hope it's not a fox!! good luck this morning and keep us posted

[zoggett]

Hi any news this morning?

[SusieB]

Sadly it seems a fox got her.  There are some feathers in the undergrowth at the bottom of the garden.  He must have taken her between 2-3pm, I wish I had checked on her more frequently.  Not sure why I didn't see the feathers when I was looking for her yesterday, would he have taken her and eaten her later?  I'm just hoping she didn't suffer for too long.