Flew the coop! Missing!

[Sg4]

I have 3 buff orpington and 2 RIRs. My babies are 7 weeks old, and have now been outside for about 5 days. I have them in a 10x10 kennel that they roam in during the day, and coop to lock up at night. The top is partially covered for shade, but working on constructing full cover currently.
I came home from work today, and all of my chickens were gone. I found 4 of them free ranging under a tree in my neighbors yard. Kennel door was closed and locked, so the only way out was over the top. Which is a little over 6 feet tall. Can they fly that high?? I'm new at this... I'm sad because I can't find the 5th one anywhere. I have woods all around my house but no sign of her. Is it possible she will come home tonight on her own? Hoping she didn't get attacked by an animal.

 

[Maeschak]

So sorry to hear about your birds. I don't know if they can get over 6 feet in one go, but they can certainly go up a few feet, grab onto the links and use that to go up a few feet higher. I had lots of young birds demonstrate that to me in my hoop coop!

Good luck~

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

They could fly that high. I've seen my chickens fly up onto the shoulders of grown adults! As for your fifth chicken, if she isn't home in a few days, chances are she is lost or got snatched up. So sorry. Best wishes.

 

[ronott1]

I have 3 buff orpington and 2 RIRs. My babies are 7 weeks old, and have now been outside for about 5 days. I have them in a 10x10 kennel that they roam in during the day, and coop to lock up at night. The top is partially covered for shade, but working on constructing full cover currently.
I came home from work today, and all of my chickens were gone. I found 4 of them free ranging under a tree in my neighbors yard. Kennel door was closed and locked, so the only way out was over the top. Which is a little over 6 feet tall. Can they fly that high?? I'm new at this... I'm sad because I can't find the 5th one anywhere. I have woods all around my house but no sign of her. Is it possible she will come home tonight on her own? Hoping she didn't get attacked by an animal.

They do not have to fly that high if they can get to higher things to help them get over the fence--like the top of the kennel.
There is a good chance that the missing ones will come home tonight. Being in the kennel for 5 days makes that home for them. Look for them at dusk

I hope you find them!

 

[Sg4]

Thanks! I'm thinking they got on top of the coop and escaped. Hoping my princess Lay-A returns!