Flying Chickens?

[eminentcrash41]

I just heard from home that my chickens were in the front yard of my house. In the suburbs. Luckily a family member was able to get them back in the backyard, however, they flew over my six foot fence to get back into the backyard. I had no idea that they could fly this high! :-O I plan on clipping their wings. I want them to be able to roam, but I definitely don't want them to get into the front yard. Any ideas besides having to clip their wings?

 

[centrarchid]

Clip wings, build fence higher or get a less air-worthy breed.

 

[creepygothnursi]

Our EE hens are feathered terrors when it comes to flying. We had to clip their wings, cover over their run *and* raise the fence before they would stop trying to get out. Like you, I didn't know they would fly that high either but they surely do!

 

[jesirose]

All four of my laying hens (Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire Red, Black Australorp and Black Sex Link) can go over a 6.5" privacy fence. Clipping their wings was the only thing that worked, and it lasted about 6 months. It gets a little better as they get heavier, so if they're pullets now they might get weighed down later

Edit: We also found they only did it when they were out of food or water, so we make sure to check their food and water twice a day. They have less reason to stray now.

 

[eminentcrash41]

Thanks everyone! Looks like I'll be clipping wings tonight. Luckily I have a cage they go into when I do maintenance work in the backyard.

 

[ChickNhood]

I purchased garden netting from walmart and stretched over the run... Wprks great and was 7 bucks for 14 x14