Chickens can't find way out!

[snow5164]

Chicken wire with an electric wire is totally different then just chicken wire ....

They shouldn’t even make chicken wire , it gives people the illusion that it’s safe and good enough .

 

[cmom]

I'm lucky, even though I have seen coons on my game cameras they have never gotten any of my birds. I have had my share of predation in the past but every time something has gotten any of my birds, I saw on the cameras the culprit and dealt with it so I wouldn't have the problem again.

 

[QuirkyGoddess]

I swear, there is a chicken in the picture!...her name is Rory, welsummer, lowest in the pecking order of the three chick flock.
Also, my chicks don't seem to get LADDERS. (Which could add to problem here)

 

[aart]

@QuirkyGoddess .... So there's a ramp down to new area?
Do they know how ramps work....have one on their coop??

It doesn't look like you have access to this new run extension?
Would help to have pics that are more clear of the interior.

Do you have access to the main run?
Sprinkle some scratch on the ramp to lure them back up.

How big is opening between the 2 runs?
How old are the birds?

 

[QuirkyGoddess]

We HAVE had success! Pieces of a discarded water stand are serving as two crude steps. Then dirt, scattered sunflower seeds...and we have footprints(?Chick prints?) I think the majority of confusion was which way was out. Brand new digs, no worn path and a different way into the run that they know...they couldn't findd "out" for the same reason pictures are lousy. The wire is invisible to chickens. And the camera. Trust me i tried for a better pict! I had two verical panels of wire and took one down to connect this space. So the connection is plenty big,approx. 2'x3'.
My goal is to create this area as a pocket of lower, cooler, shade space. Wishing to grow (ANYTHING) through the pallet and cool that space. I planted mint and oregano plants, as well as seeding the area a bit. Figured my chicks can graze but plants can't be eaten entirely. (I should add i also like it as a winter hangout that'll be dry)
So far PREDATOR wise: i have only neighborhood cats and mice (Knock on wood). And ants. WHY CAN'T THE CATS EAT THE MICE?!..alas, a different thread. Also going to start another thread debating Hardware cloth (Hard on chicken feet, and WHAT SIZE?!) vs. coated welded wire (but its not galvanized!) vs CHICKEN WIRE. I mean really, what the F is C.wire even for and should anyone use it?