GinaDC Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 I was slightly distracted this evening, and was half an hour later than usual tucking the girls up in bed. I always close the run, then close the Eglu door and then open the egg door to check all three ladies are settled in for the night. Only two feathery bodies were there. After finally finding a torch with batteries that worked (thanks to a neighbour!) I confirmed that Felix has gone awol. She laid her first egg this morning too. I've searched everywhere for her. I've rattled my tin, I've called her name, I've gone everywhere that she normally goes and to no avail. I can't find her. I've tried tracking the poo but can't even find that (amongst the dog poo that my other half has neglected to collect this weekend). There are no trails of feathers but I don't know if a fox would leave any feathers behind. I am at a loss as to what to do. I feel so guilty and so sad. I am hoping that she will be there in the morning, having found somewhere nice and warm to snuggle up to tonight. I don't think any of my cats have had her - they are all pretty wary of the chickens, having been pecked a number of times. I am just hoping and have everything crossed that she trots along the garden tomorrow morning ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 Oh dear, I know i would be worried but we have had some forum members whose chickens have gone missing and they have been found the next day in a bush or up a tree etc. Hopefully, she's just roosting elsewhere and has come to no harm...fingers crossed for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChicken Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 I hope she turns up safe and sound, there was a post the other day where someones chicken had gone AWOL at bed time but turned up safe and sound huddled up by the side of the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 Try going out later...she may find her way back. She could be roosting in a tree....have you looked upwards too? I hope she finds her way home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GinaDC Posted January 6, 2008 Author Share Posted January 6, 2008 I'd not thought to look above ground level! We do have some trees in the garden. I will be going out later on and looking. I was just wondering what if someone finds her - they won't know that she belongs to us. Its not like cats - they have their collars, ID Barrels and Microchipping! I'm looking at Felix's first laid egg and wishing I could hatch it!! How sad / hormonal am I? Thanks for the support though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 It's a horrible feeling when you can't find them. I cleaned out the eglu last week and then forgot to unlock the door. When i went out to close up the door, they were all missing. Eventually I found them huddled up underneath the quail hutch behind the food tubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 I think they go almost catatonic when it's dark so she probably wouldn't have been able to come when you called. Hopefully she'll turn up tomorrow Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riane Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 keep checking and listening....I found Rita gently clucking under a bush...she had been missing for 3 hours..hope all is well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 Hope you find her it may be worth getting a powerful torch if you have one and doing a scout round the garden, as one of my chooks used to hide in the hedge and it was only the light reflecting in her eyes that gave away her hiding place Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 Hope you find her safe and well in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bantam of the Opera Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 i understand how you feel, one of mine went missing a while ago. chickens usually turn up though, ive read of lots of cases on here of that happening. everything crossed for you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 How scary for you. I do hope she turns up safe and well! *encouraging vibes* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Bit early, but any news yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GinaDC Posted January 7, 2008 Author Share Posted January 7, 2008 No sign of Felix this morning ..... it was a horrible night - not just through lack of sleep but the weather was vile. Very windy and wet. I was just hoping she'd found somewhere safe and warm and dryish for the night. The other girls are now out in their run and chatting away - I was hoping that Felix would hear them gossiping and come rushing back. But not yet. Fingers still crossed. Thanks again for all your support. Will keep you posted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 someone found their chook under an upturned trug once, I s'pose you've checked under things? Is there any gaps in your fencing/hedging that she could have got through? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Still no news? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GinaDC Posted January 7, 2008 Author Share Posted January 7, 2008 Felix is back! I had to go out this afternoon so carefully put Whiskas and Kitekat in the run and I was just about to let them out for a quick snack before bedtime and there was Felix - large as life - very much alive and well and without a care in the world. The kids are thrilled, we'are all thrilled. I have learnt a few things 1) must go and get a super bright torch for chicken hunting 2) I must have made the right decision when getting chickens 3) the Omlet forum offers support and advice and friendship - thanks to you all Gina (and of course, Felix) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Great news!! I love a happy ending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Hurrah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 I wonder where the little madam was! So pleased she's turned up safe and sound though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Great news! You (she) had us all worried . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 That's great news, wonder where she was, if only they could talk! Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 must go and get a super bright torch for chicken hunting First of all, glad she turned up! Secondly, on the torch front - dh bought a LED headtorch in the Argos sale and it is fantastic. The light is good and because you wear it on your head your hands are free. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 So glad to hear she's back Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Glad she's back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
