Clip their wings for going over the fence?

[fmernyer]

So we have a horse fence that surrounds most of the yard that is about 3 ft give or take.

We live in a suburb to a large town - so my block - out of the way - no sidewalks - houses about 30 feet apart - large lawns/flower beds.

We have almost a whole acre - half of it wooded. So I'm a little insulted that my girls (4 months) got into the habit of jumping over the fence and slowly foraging down the block, through neighbors' yards, flower beds, woods, lawns and back again.

No one's complained yet. YET. But I'm thinking ahead to when they will. Also - I'm worried enough about hawks getting them - now I have to worry about neighbors' dogs, cars, COYOTES, etc. And I know animal behavior - they're gonna wander farther and farther each day.

I like to keep my animals intact as much as possible. I like that they can fly/hop up onto a tree branch or something to get away from stuff.

I applaud their resourcefulness.

But I'm worried that hopping the fence and gallivanting has more potential danger than not being able to hop to a branch in our own backyard.

Should I clip their wings? Will that even prevent them from flying to the top of the 3 ft fence? My experience with parrots and cockatiels leads me to the conclusion that a bird with clipped wings might still make a 3 foot fence...and then I'd be leaving them strolling with even less defenses...

I'm exploring deterrents from the fence - but so far nothing is working as they find somewhere else to cross. We cannot afford to put up a new, larger fence around the yard. Also - we don't have a run yet - and I'd like them to free range anyway.

Thoughts?


(Thanks so much, as always!)

 

[Eggcessive]

I have a 4 foot chainlink fence that separates my chickens from my yard and they could still fly over it after I clipped a wing. The problem is they can fly up to a bar to perch, then fly over. I finally solved the problem when I got some of the electric poultry netting without turning it on, and found that they don't even try to fly up to the 42 inch high top of it because it is too flimsy to grab hold of like a bar. You could probably buy some less expensive net fencing that would work as well. I regret cutting those wings because I feel they don't look as good, and won't grow back in for over a year when they molt.

 

[Judy]

Unfortunately I don't think there is a good answer. One or two of mine sometimes go over a 6' fence with a barrier on top of it. Thankfully, most don't mind the confinement. I have not clipped wings for the reason you gave. I do have some dogs who (so far) won't bother the chickens and have been seen running coons off.

I used to free range but just lost too many birds. Now, a large yard (70' x 70' or so) with a 6' fence with dogs outside the chicken yard is their safer but not secure home. For me, personally, it's a comfortable compromise. Actually I've lost no birds to predators since putting this up. Knock on wood.

You could extend your fence with chicken wire for not too much money, but obviously this isn't attractive. We did it, mostly successfully, to keep them in the garden til they clean it out -- but we are rural and it's not visible from the road.

 

[fmernyer]

Welp - there ya go - my neighbor just came by and told me that if he sees my chickens in his yard one more time he's going to shoot them. Lovely. It was fun while it lasted.

 

[Habibs Hens]

for 3 feet dont bother clipping

i clip my birds but i have 7 foot fence and i live in a town so cant have them galavanting

with clipped wings they can easily do 4 feet

so i say there is no point

 

[fmernyer]

I'm going to try to make the fence higher or appear higher with some plastic fence and since chicken wire - but it looks like my only recourse is a tractor. Its a shame - they were awful cute and happy walking all over.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yes, it is nice to envision "free ranging", but the realities of having neighbors trumps all that. Build a large run or build a tractor. That's about all you can do. It is the right thing to do. Some people take great offense at having someone else's chicken's on their property. It's just life. Getting along with neighbors and granting them the respect they are due is just part of it. Your birds will adjust.

 

[fmernyer]

You're right. I just wish he was kinder about 'his rights' - just to be neighborly. He's not exactly the perfect neighbor. *sigh* We need to move to a more rural place. Now I'll constantly be walking on eggshells (no puns intended today - too glum) about the chickens escaping and wandering over to his place.

 

[bobbi-j]

Maybe you can bring him a gift of a dozen or so fresh eggs, apologize profusely, tell him that you are working on a solution to keep them in your yard and ask for patience while you're working on it. After all, he may not think that you're the "perfect neighbor", either, since you've allowed your chickens to wander throughout the neighborhood...

 

[fmernyer]

Oh point well taken - believe me. He's been rude and weird to us since well before the chickens so I don't think there's any negotiating with this one. I tried talking with him calmly about being sorry and getting the chickens out of his yard and he flipped out - cursed a blue streak and told me he'd shoot the chickens. I don't think eggs will patch that. :/ But still - I do take your point - thanks!