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chickens want to perch on top of chainlink fence...

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by ozarkjeep, Aug 17, 2008.

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  1. Aug 17, 2008 #1
    ozarkjeep

    ozarkjeep Out Of The Brooder

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    Apr 9, 2008
    Fayetteville, AR
    How do I stop this?

    I assume if they can get up there, they can get OVER it too.
    but our back lot is NOT fenced and is VERY wooded.

    Im not sure they woudl get lost,or find a stray dog or cat back there...

    any way to deture them from perching on TOP of the fence that is supposed to keep them safe in the back yard?
     
  3. Aug 17, 2008 #2
    nhnanna

    nhnanna Chillin' With My Peeps

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    The chicken coop
    I cover the top of mine with chicken wire so they can't get up there and nothing can get in to get them. [​IMG]
     
  5. Aug 17, 2008 #3
    Mahonri

    Mahonri Urban Desert Chicken Enthusiast Premium Member

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    North Phoenix
    My Coop
    Quote:There is your answer. Hawks can't fly in that way either.
     
  7. Aug 17, 2008 #4
    ozarkjeep

    ozarkjeep Out Of The Brooder

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    Fayetteville, AR
    I have a few hundred feet of fence, and wife wont let me put chicken wire all over it.
    Not to mention it would NOT be possible to cover the entire back yard.

    they get out as often as I can be outside around them, but im working in the front yard, and went back there andd two of them were perched on the fence top.
    they spend the rest of the time in a coop/tractor thingy.

    could I put crisco or canola oil or something on it that whey would NOT like the feel of?
     
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2008
  9. Aug 17, 2008 #5
    LynneP

    LynneP Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Centre Rawdon, Nova Scotia, Canada
    I'd be inclined to put roosts in the run, either the self-standing kind or in corners. Make them of 2x4's flat side up and they may accept the more comfortable option.

    But I roofed my run because of the same fears you have, we're near the woods too!
     
  11. Aug 17, 2008 #6
    ozarkjeep

    ozarkjeep Out Of The Brooder

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    Apr 9, 2008
    Fayetteville, AR
    the fenced in back yard IS their 'run'

    there is some caged space below the tractor ( about 4x11 feet) that they are in while im at work.

    the back yard is where they spend time free-ranging or whatever when we are home.

    I guess I will just hope they dont fly over, of if they do, they fly back if something gets after them
     
  13. Aug 17, 2008 #7
    silkiechicken

    silkiechicken Staff PhD Premium Member

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    Everett WA/Corvallis OR
    You can try clipping the feathers on one wing so they can't go as high.
     
  15. Aug 17, 2008 #8
    ozarkjeep

    ozarkjeep Out Of The Brooder

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    Apr 9, 2008
    Fayetteville, AR
    we clipped one wing on each bird about a month ago.

    Maybe we didnt clip enough off.
     
  17. Aug 18, 2008 #9
    pixiechic

    pixiechic Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Quote:If they are growing fast, you may need to clip them again.

    We had the same problem - chickens were sitting on top of the fence, and from there, a few were flying up to roost in a tree. We clipped 1 wing on each of the birds, but one persistent Araucana girl can still get up on the fence and into the tree. I'm hoping that as they get older and heavier, they'll be a little less vertically mobile.
     
  19. Oct 2, 2008 #10
    ChandlersChickens

    ChandlersChickens Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Delphos, OH
    I have the same exact problem. My two chickens just started this last week. I would walk around the fence and shoo them back into the yard. Today the leghorn went over the fence after she got on top of it! [​IMG]
    Now I'm not sure I want to let them out of their coop!

    Is there something...like a fake animal...that I could put on top of the fence that would scare them from getting up there? Or are they too smart for that?
     
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