Coop up or free range

[Clukcluks]

I have a situation. I want to allow my girls to free range in my backyard. I'm worried that they will fly over the block wall. (There wings have never been trimmed )On the other side of the block wall is a 4lane, very busy street. Over the wood fence are my neighbors 2.
I know that chickens are not supposed to be able to fly like a bird, but they are able to jump up to a certain point. Those fences are 6ft tall. What do you think I should do.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I would let them out. As long as there is nothing shorter to stand on to get on top of the fence they will probably not even try to jump it.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Clip one wing on each bird so if they try, they fail. I have never had to clip a second time the following year because I guess they just realize they cannot do it.

 

[Vero272]

You could add stuff to make it more entertaining for them not to want to jump on the fence! It’s too empty and bare!

But if they ever try to jump they will perch on the fence, see the scary cars and never bother going farther than perching on the fence Don’t worry! But plant bushes and put stuff like logs or slates and once in while a change them places and there will be bugs underneath for them to devour!

 

[Tired old Rooster]

If it is a problem, I would add two feet of something similar to tennis net, making it an 8 foot barrier, without presenting a horror to the neighbours view.
Or, you could do similar, using that cattle fence type stuff. 8 feet is too high to fly over, no way a chicken is going to launch and fly through a four or even a six inch gap and will not look bad.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I agree that clipping the flight feathers on one wing should solve the problem. Do it at night after they roost, so you don't have to chase and catch them. Minimum of stress and drama.

 

[Penpal]

You don't need an 8 foot barrier. Besides, my orpington hens and australorp roosters would fly up to the 8 foot beam in my greenhouse.
Better would be to run a wire about 6 inches from the top of the fence and about 8 inches to the inside. When they try to fly up to the top of the fence they hit the wire and can't figure it out.