Flying over fences

[hot93chick]

Hi I was wondering about runs for chickens. My new run is going to be 20x20 and I'm not sure on high to make it. I have EE, barred rocks, austrolorps & RI reds.
1. How high can these breeds fly without wings cut
2. How high can these breeds fly WITH wings cut

 

[meekasmom]

I have red sex-linked hens and they could fly over a 5' fence without wings clipped. I clipped one wing and they never flew over again.

 

[Den in Penn]

Make it six feet or better and put a cover netting on it. That way you don't have to worry about them flying out or clipping their wings and no worries about hawks either. At plus six feet you can walk in it too.

 

[centrarchid]

If clipping is resorted to and done properly, then a 4 foot fence will retain even the EE or my games. Most folks fail to crop feathers close enough and birds can then clamber 6 feet or more. If no clipping, then a startled EE might be able to make a 20 foot elevation. My games can do that without being startled. The remaining breeds on your list suffer either from dumpy butt syndrome (DBS) or lack flight machinery to better 10 feet unless thoroughly startled.

 

[janelle18]

I have 6 sex-link's in a 4ft high fenced run. After a couple weeks they learned the grass was greener on the older side, and three of them were constantly escaping but jumping on their ramp and then over the fence. We clipped the trouble makers wings and covered the the small area of fence over their ramp and haven't escaped since

 

[they'reHISchickens]

We have an 10 week old EE escape artist roo who has been jumping/flying /escaping since he was 2 weeks old. We don't even bother to try to contain him anymore. He runs and escapes at the first sign of approach by humans. We find him quite amusing.
Oh, we have a 6 ft fence around the chickens.

 

[Elaine E]

Meekasmom made a good point in that if you clip, clip only one wing to throw them off balance. Some birds only need this done once and they believe they can't make it over the fence for the rest of their lives...others are smarter.

 

[hot93chick]

hi guys thanks for all of the responses! I clipped one wing on every chicken. my fence is only 4' high so i used fruit tree netting on the top as well. they havent gotten out since! thanks again!

 

[Rowsdower]

My 9 week old bantams go over a 6 ft fence like it's child's play.