Anyone else having this issue?

[LFord]

Ok so we were new to raising chickens and I realize we make have gone a little overboard. So we had

a side yard that was full of weeds, gets lots of sun until 1pm and then it is partial sun. We decided since it was basically a hill that was graded away from the house we would keep some of the grading for drainage purposes, but we took cement blocks and made sort of ledge and then back filled with sand. We kept them in place with rebar and then installed sod. The chickens have a path all the way around of dirt to dig in as well as the flower bed next to the house. We installed rain gutters on the coop and placed edging for plants around the coop. So our fence is 6ft and the coop is basically 6.6ft tall. It is about 7 ft from the fence in all directions. So today our chicken we fondly call the Ostrich because she out grew everyone and was always very tall, decided that she wanted to see beyond the front fence and climbed on top of the coop! I am happy she is keeping herself entertained but she is only 4 months old and I am afraid she is going to make it over the fence. She is using the side nest box to gain access to the roof. So my question is....Does anyone have a suggestion on how to adjust this to keep her down? I own parrots and we clip their wings to keep them flightless, however I don't want to prevent her from getting on the roost, so I would rather do a modification if possible. I appreciate any help.

 

[BrowningBirds]

I had a chicken jumping a short fence and to stop her I attached two small pieces of wood on each end about 6" higher, then tied a string straight across, and this has worked since it was done.

 

[LFord]

I might be able to apply that idea to the top of the nest box to keep her from using it to get to the roof. Thanks! I do have another question...when they jump the fence do they run away or hang around?

 

[BrowningBirds]

They always hang around, I think most hens will not venture too far from there safe place. Mine would just jump over the fence and either dig holes all along the fence or dig around all the trees.

Furthest mine has gone was the back of the property (60') to eat some fallen pears, as soon as I opened the door she would know she was in the wrong and run back full speed.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

They always hang around, I think most hens will not venture too far from there safe place. Mine would just jump over the fence and either dig holes all along the fence or dig around all the trees.

Furthest mine has gone was the back of the property (60') to eat some fallen pears, as soon as I opened the door she would know she was in the wrong and run back full speed.

Clip wings

 

[Hokum Coco]

I don't want to prevent her from getting on the roost,

My run is about 4 ft high. If you clip the feathers on one wing of each bird it will help.

Make sure there is no blood in the shaft of the feather before you clip or your bird may bleed to death.

One wing throws the bird off balance and is more effective than trimming equal amounts off both wings. My birds can still manage to get on a roost 3 to 4ft over their heads.

 

[User395221]

Another idea that might help is to redirect her interest in a freestanding roost away from the fence and away from the house. If you put treats there, she might lose interest in trying to explore outside the fence?