Chickens getting over fence...help!

[LeahOregon]

We have 4 full-sized hens who are pretty regularly getting out of their fenced-in area. The offending fence and gate are 4'8" high, and the surrounding fence is 6'. We tried clipping one wing on each bird...no luck. We then clipped both wings, and were feeling pretty proud of ourselves until we found them out wandering the yard again.

We plan on adding a panel to the top of the fence and gate to bring it up to the same 6' level as the other fencing. Do you think that will be enough?

Any other ideas of how to keep them in their area? We're getting really sick of chicken poop all over our patio and lawn. We have a nice 200 sq. ft. area for them to roam, so it's not like they're cramped.

Thanks,

Leah

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Possibly build an enclosed run for their coop? As for clipping wings, when you clip one side only you throw them off balance when they try to get off the ground which usually works but when you clip both sides you have just evened them out so they can get lift better. My chickens never get out of my yard but I think that is because they think the world ends at the block wall. lol