Escaping jail birds

[SwtGrc]

hey friends!
I'm still having issues with a few of my Hens escaping my yard to wonder onto greener pastures lol.
I'm in Northern California and there's been a lack in rain so my yard is pretty skimpy. I'm afraid they're bored with what they have and another insists on laying in the ivy outside of our fenced yard. I give them yummy treats here and there which they run for. I've clipped one wing on the problem ladies but they can still get up on the fence and over. (The fence is only about 4.5 feet hi)
So the question is:
Has anyone added anything to the tops of their fences to keep their flock in??
We have numerous predators "on the other side"
TIA peeps!
*These pictures are the best I could find where you can see the fencing

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's an easy fence to hop over, especially with the board on top. If you can run a strand or two of electric fencing wire a few inches above the wood it may keep them down as they can't stand on it, otherwise extending the fence height may help. Topping any fence with a handy standing board will guarantee escapes.

 

[SwtGrc]

That's an easy fence to hop over, especially with the board on top. If you can run a strand or two of electric fencing wire a few inches above the wood it may keep them down as they can't stand on it, otherwise extending the fence height may help. Topping any fence with a handy standing board will guarantee escapes.

Yeah I’m aware it’s not ideal but we are renting so we’re limited on options as far as fencing.
Do you think if we added a foot of hard wire stapled to the top wood plank (to prevent landing) would work??

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

Clipping only one wing (as opposed to both) helps keep chickens from flying as high and as far (unbalanced in flight). It won't solve the issue (most likely) but it might help. Sorry that is the only suggestion that I can offer! Hope that it gets solved.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yeah I’m aware it’s not ideal but we are renting so we’re limited on options as far as fencing.
Do you think if we added a foot of hard wire stapled to the top wood plank (to prevent landing) would work??

I think it will. I use a 2 foot tall green wire fence to keep chickens out of garden beds. They don't just fly over because they can't think that way. So I definitely would try your idea, it should work.

 

[JMotuzick]

Bird netting is cheep $25 for 50x50 not good for the predators but will keep the girls In

 

[Ms Biddy]

I agree about the bird netting. Deer fencing could be an option too. You can attach it to rebar posts with zip ties.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

You can clip both wings of the birds that are escaping. You could rase the fence some but don't use wood. If they see the wood at the top they will think they can get out that way by perching on the wood. Either way the chickens may get out by climbing out. Yes, this is possible. I've seen some of my hens do this and try to roost on the top of eight foot fencing. The plastic netting would be good, but by the looks of your yard you'd have to build something to hold up that netting.

 

[aart]

Do you think if we added a foot of hard wire stapled to the top wood plank (to prevent landing) would work??

Might, especially if it was 'floppy' at the top....depends on what you mean by 'hard wire'?