Chickens keep escaping

[alpar80]

My chickens keep escaping from my coop, I have 4' fencing sunk into the ground about 6". I think they are flying out, as there is no remenants of blood or feathers. They were about 7 weeks old.

 

[Judy]

Many adult chickens can easily fly 5' high, and young chickens can often fly better than adults.

 

[DarkWolf]

ditto the above. Put a cover over your run or heighten it.

 

[alpar80]

About how high would you construct the fence? Also how large/small of a hole can a 6week chicken escape out of?? Is there any where that allows you to order chicks less than 25 per order ?? I have to start at the beginning again

 

[Judy]

I would suggest that you first do some reading here, in the Learning Center, the Coop Designs section, and the FAQ page (see top of page.)

There is more wrong than the height of your fence if they are "escaping" and never come back, unless they are immediately killed by predators, in which case the concern about the size of holes will be to prevent predators from reaching through, not chickens from leaving.

Usually, if a young chicken gets outside its coop or fence, what it wants most is to get back in.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I agree with DDawn -

Check out the Learning Center on how to care for your birds so they live long healthy lives before you get any more.

Work to get your coop and run safe for your chicks and preditor proof.

Good luck to you.

 

[mstricer]

My black jersey are always escaping. I was shocked that the jerseys could jump like that, They are 8 weeks younger then the orps. and way bigger then the orps. I think they just know where all the good bugs are. Or their trying to take over the spitzenhauben and favorolles house. Which sets just outside 1 acre wooded area. They just like it there I quess.
My daughter is afraid we are going to be, THOSE people that have chickens by the road that scare her as shes driving! lol

 

[teach1rusl]

Covering your run would probably be simpler (and safer for your chickens) than making your fence a lot higher. But also you probably need to run hardware cloth (at least 24 inches tall) around the bottom part of your run. It has very small holes, so things can't get in or out. One of the biggest ideas I've gotten from this site is how important it is to have a secure coop...both the run and the henhouse.

 

[mstricer]

Quote:
Do you have a hatchery in your area? If you pick up it doesnt mater how many you order. I'm lucky I live down the road from Meyers hatchery (my boyfriend doesnt think thats so lucky for him lol) awesome place, all the chicks I got there, are beautiful and healthy.

I got my orpingtons from Mt. Healthy in Feb. and only had to order 15 they sent 17. and that was winter. Call the place your ordering from and ask what their minn. order is.
Good Luck

 

[Judy]

Ideal and MyPetChicken will both ship less than 25, as will Mt. Healthy.