4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Charlottechicken]

Lola, my 15 week old tiny Araucana, flew up, up and away out of the garden this morning

 

She was freeranging with the big girls, the cockerels were fenced in to a little run on the grass as they prefer to lounge, and I decided to remove my pink Eglu from the WIR to wash it down. The cockerels kicked off at the sight of the Eglu being carried up the garden, other hens ran around, and Lola did her very best Harrier jump jet impression and flew vertically to a height of 8 feet plus before shooting off on a horizontal course over the fence.

 

I looked over and saw a cat in next door but one's garden, and had to call the neighbour to have a look for Lola. He was rather bemused as she looks nothing like a chicken, and as soon as he got near her, she took off again, onto his shed and then down the garden again. By this time the cat was really interested and was in the garden with my neighbour. I ran round calling "Lola" into all his plants and shaking a pot of dried mealworms, by this time I will admit to being in a right state, on the point of tears too The cat was following me around as I carried on down the garden to the bottom which is full of brambles and other unsavoury weeds.

 

I really didn't know where she would be, but, in a gap in the hedge at the bottom of the neighbour's garden , sat on the ground, was Lola, not moving a muscle. Out of the corner of my eye I could see the cat approaching, so snatched Lola up and ran! She didn't move a muscle or make a sound until I got back into the yard when she suddenly recognised her surroundings and 'pipped' at me a couple of times

 

She's safe now, back with the other chicks, but I might have to consider Lola proofing the garden with netting, if she is ever to be trusted to freerange again

[mags]

two of mine did an escape but i notice before they got into my veggie patch

mine came running toward me hoping for a treat , i had run and grab some mixed corn

 

gives you a right fright when they do a runner or fly the coop !

 

mags

[Snowy]

My first araucana was 15 weeks old when I went to collect her from the breeders - she couldn't be found! Had flown out of the pen and was on the roof of the hen house in the neighbouring field! When we went to collect her, she took off again - I felt very guilty cramping her style by clippine her wings but it was a necessary evil

Glad you got got Lola back again!

[chick wiggle]

What an adventure for her, nightmare for you. Glad shes back safe and sound. Wing clipping time me thinks

[Redwing]

Crikey, glad all is well, I would have been in a state too

[Chickvic]

Glad she is back safe and sound

[Cooks]

me too

[Ms Tilytinkle]

Bless her.. and you... ( & your bemused neighbour tee hee )

 

What a relief, wee suggestion - make it a double, kick off your shoes sit sipping the numbing relaxing liquid as you relive the whole excitement .Then stop thinking - don't allow your imagination to wander at all - its really not worth it. She wont do it again!

 

After all. a neighbour who lives right at the bottom of our lane, once came hesitantly & carefully through our garden gate holding tight our little Emily ( the flying wanderer calling out Hello Hello anyone here, as I walked round the corner she then said " Think this belongs to you!!!"

 

Enjoy tomorrow Lola will be looking forward to her expeditions!

 

Seriously, glad shes safe & all is well. Its not funny at all, mine who used to 'wander' used to have me turning grey whilst apologising profusely trekking through flower beds manicured lawns with holes/mess/traces of where Emily & her partner in crime had been!!

 

Ms Tillylovesherchooksreally.ShouldnameoneofthemBoeking747