Chicken bald back

[Millie-Annie]

I have just got home from work and gone to shut the girls away and Octavia, my Orpington is missing. I have looked all over the run, and all over the free range bit but no sign. If it had been my Welsummer or Legbar I'd have thought they'd managed to fly over the fence, but Octavia is too big. She bounces everywhere she doesn't take off.

 

My husband is thinking fox, but surely there would be a feather and there is nothing, she literally seems to have vanished into thin air.

 

I am really upset and worried can anyone throw any light or hope?

[libby22]

I am so sorry - what a nasty shock for you to come home to. Has she managed to squeeze anywhere and got stuck so she is out of view? I appreciate with Orpingtons that they are mostly feathers so she may be in a smaller gap than you would think. Have you checked with any neighbours? Might be a long shot, but going out and calling her and see if you can hear anything back - have read on here about a couple of girls getting really wedged between things in the garden and staying out overnight as a result.

 

Let us know how you get on won't you.

[Millie-Annie]

I am hoping that although she looks big, she is still young and quite skinny when you pick her up. I honestly didn't think she could fly, but if something spooked her maybe she could. She would create merry hell if anything tried to catch her, which is why the lack of feathers makes me think not a fox. I have just done a leaflet drop up and down the street and round the back. She wouldn't come if I called her, she is too nervous.

[merlina]

do you have trees/big shrubs? It's quite surprising how high up they can get when they decide they need a night of sleeping under the stars!

[Millie-Annie]

She is back safe and sound. I went out for one last look and hunted in all the corners of the patio and she was down behind the power washer, tucked right up the corner, Oh the relief. I think she is fine I was worried when I picked her up because she was wet underneath, but luckily it is just water.

 

Thank you for giving me hope. Job for the weekend, wing clipping

[Olly]

I've locked this as there is an identical thread in Chicken Clinic.