Escapee chicken DISASTER!!

[KeriRae]

I am hoping someone can calm me down and advise me! I recently was given 21 hens. I fixed up a coop and a four foot high fence yard for them. For the most part, the hens are content with the exception of a few that like to jump the fence and wander the yard. They stick close so it wasn't a huge deal UNTIL I redid all the flower beds (just bought my home) and I have a graduation BBQ tomorrow and these delinquent chickens are ripping up my flower beds! Is there anything I can do short of roofing the coop? Is there something I can do around the beds to deter them, or something I can put along the top of the fence to keep them from jumping out. The fly up, perch on the edge, and jump down to freedom. I am just sick. Help!!

 

[nellynelly]

a taller fence. even a line (or two) of wire above the existing fence. even with clipped wings, 4' is not hard for some birds to get over.

 

[MuckyPuppy]

I would clip their flight feathers.

 

[Eggcessive]

My hens will jump up on and over my 4 Ft. chainlink fence, but they won't jump up and over my 40 inch tall poultry netting. The reason why is that they can't perch on top, so if you just run a strand or two of wire or twine above the top it may help. Don't bother trimming wings because it is disfiguring until they molt, plus it doesn't help (been there.)

 

[JanetS]

What about a small fence around your flower beds?

 

[TulsaChick]

Put a top on the run. Even if it is a tarp or netting. A top will also help keeps hawks and such away. HomeDepot has this shade material to buy by the roll

 

[LoneOak]

The cheapst thing to use for a top on your run is 2" hex mesh chicken wire. The birds can't get through it and small limbs, leavs and other debris will fall through. The secret to making it last is to pull it tight when you install it. it will last a lot longer pulled tight than if it sags. I recently bought a 50ft roll of 4 ft high for just about $20, ain't nothing cheaperl.

This is what I bought, 48-Inch x 50-Foot 2-Inch Galvanized Mesh Hexagonal Poultry Netting, but I got it local and it was still just over $20 with tax. I have a very good small local feed and seed store that keeps all their prices in line with what you see online. They just can't carry everything you see online for poultry as most of their business is horse related.

 

[jak2002003]

Your fence is far to short........the chickens can get out, and other animals can get in!!!

Make you fence much higher, clip the birds wings, or cover the top.

 

[lavender pekins]

You wnat to make your fence at least 1200mm thats what i use and what my grandad used for 68 years without any escaping!

 

[lavender pekins]

*want*