Clip the Wings?

[EddieLee]

first off- sorry if I am posting this under the wrong title. I couldn't really find a category well suited for this question.

We are headed to the Maryland Poultry Swap this weekend looking to get our first chickens (planning on getting 4). I'm still a little confused as to wether or not I should be prepared to clip their wings. We have a coop. We have a chicken run going up right now (10X20). and all this is inside a half acre backyard that has a 6-foot privacy fence. I see that most people do hex-netting above the chicken runs, is this to keep the birds in or predators out? Can I let my birds roam the backyard outside the run without worrying about them flying over the fence? Thanks a lot for any help ((this is my first post))

-Eddie

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Whether they can fly over the fence will depend partly on what breed you get. Larger, heavy bodied birds generally don't fly that much, but smaller and lighter birds can have much more ability. Usually a 6 ft fence will deter flying. Look under the breed section of this site and see what breeds have the qualities you want.

Hex-netting above runs will deter hawks, but other predators may be able to get through. Anytime you allow them out, they are at risk from hawks, but providing shrubs and trees to hide under will help a great deal.