Egg laying, non flying, breeds

[Kris5902]

Avoid leghorns and LH X’s, I haven’t had too many issues with my production red breeds flying though. And their offspring crossed with a Ameraucana/Marans rooster are fairly ground dwelling, unless quite upset, and prolific layers of Olive eggs and fairly dark browns. Barred rocks maybe?

My Marans aren’t really flyers. But not as prolific as layers

 

[BigBlueHen53]

My Buff Orps laid eggs for about three weeks their first spring, then went broody. That meant they did not produce eggs pretty much the rest of that summer, first because they sat on the eggs for three weeks to hatch them, then spent several weeks nurturing their chicks. Also, we clipped their wings to keep them out of the garden. Chickens are birds. Birds fly. Their second year they were much more productive and had either gotten out of the habit of flying or had gotten too heavy to try. We also pretty much gave up on gardening because of my health. I don't find Orps to be as productive as EEs and won't have them again. I agree that wing clipping or better fences are good suggestions.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have had many Australorp over the years. None were good at flying. Jumping over short fences up to about 3 feet yes but not flying. Do I think they could clear a 6 foot fence....no.

 

[NatJ]

They scratch up the garden and lay in the neighbors yard

How tall is the fence? What breeds have you tried?

 

[MysteryChicken]

I recommend Silkies, & Brahmas.
Silkies can't fly, but produce eggs fairly good. I have 6 Silkie layers that lay me eggs every day, even during the winter.

Brahmas aren't good flyers, since they're heavy, & they lay pretty well, even in the winter.

This is my experience with these breeds.

 

[Clearwater Chicken]

i have had most of the common breeds. is there any way to just teach them to stay in the pen cause we also have dogs... that kill chickens.

 

[Kris5902]

i have had most of the common breeds. is there any way to just teach them to stay in the pen cause we also have dogs... that kill chickens.

Wing clipping is probably your best bet, or more through training for the dogs. It’s not hard or damaging to the birds. And as high a fence as you can put around them 4’ or higher.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Is clipping wings an option?

 

[MysteryChicken]

Wing clipping is probably your best bet, or more through training for the dogs

We posted at the sametime.

 

[Kris5902]

Also make their run as entertaining and pleasant as possible... don’t give them reasons to want to escape, other than the usual grass is greener enticements