Do they have a 'reverse' gear?

[FireTigeris]

I just lost a marans to getting somewhere she couldn't get out- I have a $XXXX preditor proof fort knox pen and she has to go into the largest hole of a cendrblock and not back out... really?

 

[gryeyes]

NO! They don't! I spent a good 20 minutes yesterday watching a young chicken try to get herself out of a coil of hardware cloth she walked into. At least she wasn't panicked. She eventually managed to TURN AROUND and walk out - she could not figure it out on her own that she should back up. And I watched her because she wasn't in any trouble - I would have rescued her. I just had to confirm it for myself she wouldn't back up.

Last year I lost a lovely Welsummer pullet who did the same thing in another spot, but she did it when I was at work. By the time I got home, she had thrashed herself to death. THAT curl of hardware cloth was quickly removed. (Yesterday's was just a temporary curl while working on the new coop.)

 

[FireTigeris]

DH and I were talking about it and neither of us has ever seen a chick back up. So I figured it was our fault.