Flighty chicks

[Quackter]

My main question is if these breeds are flighty, and if so, how high can they fly.

I got ya. I have a cornish cross, known for being lethargic, that would come flying by at least at shoulder high every day to beat me out to the feed can. I've seen chickens roosting 20 ft up in trees, literally 10' pole, 8 foot reach, and having to drive the pick up underneath to stand in the bed to catch them. You can always trim their primary feathers, that would easily keep them in 8' when they get older. Just leave enough they can steady themselves on the roost. If they are exposed to any predators you don't want to do this. For getting out of the pen, from my experience it isn't flighty that causes it, it's "hey there's something good to eat over there".

 

[Ponte]

I have several breeds that are super skittish and flighty, including speckled Sussex. They seem to like hanging out on top of their 8 ft. tall chicken coop. They fly up there with no problems whatsoever.

That’s not what I was hoping to hear. Three sides of our property has a 10 feet high hedge but one section has only a six foot fence.

I got the Speckled Sussex believing it was a very friendly calm breed

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It may not be "flightiness," exactly, that takes them over the fence... it may be something as simple as curiosity. When I think of flightiness, I think of my 5 Brown Leghorns, who are a whole different animal from my Easter Eggers. Right from day-olds they were different. The EEs were quietly calm and curious while the BL would go into panic mode over nothing. Still do, 5 months later. You'd think they've never seen a human before! Every single day! But before we clipped their wings, it was the EE that would fly to the top of the 5' fence to see what's on the other side. Just curious, I guess. But not "flighty," at least not in my opinion.

 

[Mimi13]

I have both breeds and I don’t consider either one flighty. Most of my girls could/would fly when younger, but slowed down or even stopped once they started laying (20ish weeks old). However, I have noticed my smaller birds (CCL, EE, OE, Penes) can go anywhere they please, at will. Laying did not seem to curtail their ability to fly in the least.

 

[Mimi13]

Right from day-olds they were different. The EEs were quietly calm and curious while the BL would go into panic mode over nothing. Still do, 5 months later. You'd think they've never seen a human before!

This sounds just like my Penedesencas. Wilda$$ chicks.

 

[chrissynemetz]

When they get older and more likely to fly over the fence you might try clipping their wings. If you do a search on here I believe there are a few articles that explain how to do it.

 

[Ponte]

When they get older and more likely to fly over the fence you might try clipping their wings. If you do a search on here I believe there are a few articles that explain how to do it.

It seems as if that is what I will have to do.
I was hoping they would be like our Buff Orpington’s who fly no more than a foot or two off the ground.

 

[Folly's place]

My farm fences are five feet tall, and the birds, most of whom could easily fly over them, nearly never bother. There's plenty to do on our side of the fences!
The run is roofed, to keep them in, snow out, and for their safety.
Mary

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have only had to clip them twice. Once as babies and then when they got their adult feathers. They've gotten heavier, and also I think they kind of forget that they could fly after a bit.

 

[slordaz]

All chicks are better flyers than most give them credit for and just like a kid are inquisitive and curios to learn about whats around them. but haven't had as much problem with them as adults