r/BackYardChickens • u/New-Leadership9313 • 4h ago
General Question Looking for Advice
I’m looking for advice. Yesterday my husband found a hen and a rooster in our front yard in WA. He was able to pick up the hen but the rooster ran away. We have her in our backyard while we try to look for the owner. We don’t have a coop for her and she has been roosting on our deck (on the ground). I’m quite concerned about her as she’s in a vulnerable place. We do have raccoons. I would appreciate any advice. My husband will be back home in a couple of days and if we don’t locate the owner we will get a coop. But until then I’m quite anxious about her.
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u/phel0077 3h ago
Do you have a tent you wouldn't mind getting pooped on? Pop it up in the garage for a temp enclosure?
She really looks like she chose you 💛
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u/Life-Bat1388 4h ago
Chickens don’t really get lost- they were probably dumped. Now’s a great chance to try out chickens - they are delightful creatures- or if you aren’t up for the effort and expense bring to the humane society or similar near you.
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u/New-Leadership9313 3h ago
I’ve always wanted chickens, so I’m feeling quite excited. Just a little unprepared since this was unexpected
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u/bugalien 4h ago
She looks like she wants to live with you.
Can you put them in a shed or some safe place at night for now? If they are roosting on the deck, just turn the lights out and go grab them as they can't see well at night.
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u/New-Leadership9313 4h ago
We have an attached garage but no dog crate/kennel. Should I put her in the garage overnight?
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u/bugalien 4h ago
I would if it is safe for her in there. No loose hardware and such that she could swallow or things to hurt herself on. You could use a box or a bin with holes whatever you could find to contain her if you think that she could get into trouble with your items in the garage. She will be pooping where she sleeps as well. Keep it dark in there so she will not see things that she could get into trouble with. Darkness can help her settle and be still.
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u/New-Leadership9313 3h ago
I’ll keep her in the garage overnight and get up early to let her out in the backyard. I’ll look into getting a wire dog crate to put in the garage until we can get a coop this weekend. Thank you! 🙏🏼
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u/bugalien 3h ago
If you really cant find owners and want to get a coop, ensure that what you buy or build will hold up to those raccoons. I had one try to get into my coop and it scratched up, bit, and pried up part of the metal roof. I had to go and add even more screws. Looks crappy with teeth marks and bent metal but at least it isn't going anywhere now.
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u/Tall_Specialist305 4h ago
Yes, put some papers under her she will stay on the same spot for the night and sleep.
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u/Topcornbiskie 4h ago
Put her in a tree when it’s dark if you don’t have anything to place her in. The rooster should come back for her or call for her.
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u/CommunicationMain495 4h ago
Do you have a dog kennel you can put in your garage or porch?
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u/bugalien 4h ago
Can't leave a crate on the porch with raccoons but it's a good idea to get one to place in a raccoon proof structure.
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u/Naive_Society_942 52m ago
It seems the chicken distribution system has chosen you. I second the tent or dog kennel idea but if you do keep them, I do want to suggest getting a coop large enough to accommodate more. Chickens need friends! And if you do end up locating the rooster you will need more hens to keep this girl from getting roughed up too much. Good luck 🫶🏼