Living in Portland, Maine each family is graced with the ability according to city code of raising 6 chickens-no roosters at any given time. I have three…well now two, and this where that story really begins. They are funny, worm eating, happy to see me and follow me everywhere chickens when I let them out to explore, and have been placed in my care while my aunt and uncle have gone to Hong Kong for the next six months. Their coop is 3 by 3 foot, enclosed elevated sleeping loft with a 3 by 4 foot wired feeding area below. They never leave my site outside the coop, although they have escaped to the neighbor’s yard in warmer weather, supposedly his worms are better than ours. They have been great layers and a light on a timer gives them their extra light in our very short days here at 44 degrees in Maine.
This morning like every morning I gave them food, water and checked for eggs, only one which is typical-the others are noon time layers. I said goodbye to the three girls and headed to work. Upon my return when I went out to check for more eggs only two greeted me. This was not normal usually they all converge at the door hoping that I will let them roam, but with a hawk around and the daylight non-existent at 5:00 I just don’t give them daily roaming rights.
Where was the third? I looked in the laying box through to the sleeping area, underneath the sleeping area but no chicken? So I continued searching around the coop for holes, a mass of feathers, blood but nothing.At this point I am now left with a mystery. How did a chicken get out of a locked coop-to chickens locked not humans, or how did an animal get in and take the chicken away with out leaving but maybe a feather? I hope she is just magical and will surprisingly be there tomorrow morning when the sunrises.
Contributor Bio – Please tell us about YOU!: I am an urban gardener who is lucky enough to be housesitting and caring for 3 chickens that make me laugh and smile daily.
What kind of Chicken person am I: Urban Community – 25 Chickens or less
This post was submitted by Andrea Parker.
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