So my hens are 6 months old and have started laying...They have a 6' run partially covered but they continue to fly out the 6' run fence. I have tried fishing line to keep them from flying out but not working. I am resorting to clipping their wings this evening. Have seen videos and am comfortable with cutting, but had one question... My nesting boxes are 2.5-3' +/- above the floor of the coop or covered section of the run. Currently I have no ramps that the hens can walk to get up completely to the nesting boxes. If I clip the wings, will the hens likely be able to get up into the nesting boxes. Also have roosting bars and wondered the same thing. Will they be able to get up to them (2-3") or will I need to improvise my coop/run...ramps. The only reason I am clipping is because I feel like I am loosing eggs. They are good about laying in the nesting boxes if they are in the run/coop, but if they fly the coop in the AM they cant get back in to lay. I think they are laying all about and I am not finding them. Thanks for help
What breeds do you have? Most breeds should be able to jump three feet, even without the full use of their wings. Very large, heavy breeds like Jersey Giants could have problems, though. Most other breeds, like most of the lightweight layers (Leghorns, etc) and dual purpose birds (Rhode Island Red, Orpingtons, etc) should be fine.
Do your nest boxes have perches on the front that they can jump onto? If so, then you should be fine. Mine are all double-clipped and they get onto a 3' high perch just fine.
