forget.
I was at level 30. A creeper was in front of me so I backed up.
This was your mistake. You backed up.
If you are on land and you're able to knock it back, sprint and knock it back.
If there is some kind of obstacle, such as a hill, wall, tree, water, etc, then don't back up. Turn around and run so you can see where you're going.
I shouldn't have to explain this because vision is important.
There are no animals nearby besides wolves.
The chickens were like five hundred blocks away.
Box 'em up and breed a few, collect about 64 eggs, go back home, throw eggs at ground.
???
You have chickens.