Any breed of chicken that fly?

[2vtx]

Apparently mine can only run. No flying. Just running. The neighbors dogs chase, we run. Then soon after, we die. Are all chickens this dumb, or is it just mine? It's not like they would have to ride a thermal up to the roof of the shed, it's 9' to the peak. Good grief! Thanks,
Steve

 

[TheCochinMomma]

Some of mine can fly, some can't. I think it depends on the bird

 

[chicks are life]

Depends on breeds
Cochin's and other heavy birds can't fly high mabey 3 feet at most.

Polish (ifthey coupd see) and lighter breeds can fly high ex: to a rooftop!

Chickens are actually quite smart and memorise thing in minutes.

 

[chicks are life]

What's breeds do you have

 

[SycamoreSilkies]

One of my young Easter Eggers flies quite well (onto the barn roof), and I have seen her fly a good distance in a straight line 50+ feet, maybe 75... Most of my others fly up to roost on something (not the roof...), but tend to run if afraid. Of course, my little silkies just bounce around a bit and hardly try to run ( some do not seem to see well with all of the fluff). Definitely super easy targets. Of mine (silkies, brahmas, Plymouth barred, black sex-linked, Easter eggers/Americaunas, and some Cochin/silkie crosses) my Easter eggers/Americaunas are the most agile, (run fast, alert, fly more and higher etc.) with the one being extra good at flying.

 

[TheCochinMomma]

My RIR's and white Leghorns have always flew well

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Apparently mine can only run. No flying. Just running. The neighbors dogs chase, we run. Then soon after, we die. Are all chickens this dumb, or is it just mine? It's not like they would have to ride a thermal up to the roof of the shed, it's 9' to the peak. Good grief! Thanks,
Steve

They are in "flight" mode, which is a function of the very primitive part of any brain - this is not an indication of lack of intelligence. Some breeds are more inclined to decent flight than others, but 9 feet is not a small height for a domestic bird, especially one in a panicked state of mind. A good steward would address the neighbor dog issue, more effective than debating the intelligence of the victims.

 

[CiceroXY]

If you want your chickens to fly on the roof of the shed in case of danger, you'll have to buy light breed chickens like Leghorns, Minorcas, Andalusians, Egyptian Fayoumis, Sicilian Buttecups and so on..

 

[SycamoreSilkies]

No chicken will fare well next to large predators, though I think the question was more about whether some might have a better chance than others... I feel your pain with regards to dogs... Have an unneuterd male put bull "free ranging" next door and on my property. Haven't lost anyone yet, but only due to my poor chickies being much more confined than I/they would like (and a bit of luck)... I am with old gray mare in that the dog situation needs to be dealt with, but that is easier said than done sometimes depending on leash laws etc. We have had animal control involved/talked to neighbors etc. Though I am not a violent person, it has come down to (and the neighbor has been warned) if anyone on my property is threatened, chickens, kids, my dogs etc., we will protect our property with whatever force is necessary. I will feel badly if it comes down to it, because it is not the dogs fault, just bad owners, but our lives (kids, chicken, dogs) are my first responsibility.

 

[Howard E]

Better than flighty birds (leghorns) is to protect them from you neighbor's dog with an electric fence.

Ironically, as I began reading this thread, I looked out the window to see my neighbor's dog running free in their yard......about 50 yards away from where my birds were running free in my backyard. About a year ago, when the birds were young, that dog first noticed them and headed straight for them. Then tangled with the fence, did an about face....and has never shown any interest in them again. Works something like this: