Flying over fences?

[sukochickens]

I agree - it depends. I have three golden sex links that are 3 yrs old and one always flies over their 4' picket fence. Then she paces back and forth trying to figure out how to get back in LOL

Silly chickens!

 

[sukochickens]

Yep - if they do you can try clipping one wing.  Clipping both makes it more likely that they will still be able to compensate enough to make some escapes, but one wing clipped leaves them off-balance in flight and unable to get up and over. 

Thank you! That's a really good idea! I honestly don't know why that didn't occure to me. I had a cockatiel when I was younger and clipped her wings myself. I'll just have to google a quick refresher.

 

[GuppyTJ]

I would suggest you try it. Chickens love to free range and it's healthier for them to forage for food and have more clean, green space to roam around in. That's what chickens were meant to do. I free range only (no fence, no run, secured coop at night) and they roam FAR up into the woods and into the orchard and down by the pond. They go all over and yes I admit, I subconsciously count them every time I see them. It's not even something I think about. When my count comes up short, I count them again. If I'm still short, I go look for the missing ones and they're usually in the coop laying eggs. But I wouldn't trade free ranging for anything and I honestly don't think they would either. I live on the edge of 3,000 acres of national forest so we have a pretty good assortment of predators. I have a rooster that keeps them safe and has been bloodied a few times fighting off hawks. But he won the battle and I know this because no hens were taken. I also have 4 dogs that do a great job of chasing off anything that comes in the area. My dogs think the chickens are part of the family and never bother them.

So, one question, there are no dogs on the other side of the fence or loose in the area? Are there any other major predators in the area, especially those that come out mostly during the day? If not, I'd suggest you try letting them out. If one of your chickens flies over the fence, if she's pretty clear that she's supposed to roost in the hen house at night, she'll try to get back in at some point and you'll see her frantically pacing back and forth trying to find a hole in the fence!

Hope this helps,
Guppy

 

[sukochickens]

I would suggest you try it.  Chickens love to free range and it's healthier for them to forage for food and have more clean, green space to roam around in.  That's what chickens were meant to do.  I free range only (no fence, no run, secured coop at night) and they roam FAR up into the woods and into the orchard and down by the pond. They go all over and yes I admit, I subconsciously count them every time I see them. It's not even something I think about.  When my count comes up short, I count them again.  If I'm still short, I go look for the missing ones and they're usually in the coop laying eggs.  But I wouldn't trade free ranging for anything and I honestly don't think they would either. I live on the edge of 3,000 acres of national forest so we have a pretty good assortment of predators.   I have a rooster that keeps them safe and has been bloodied a few times fighting off hawks. But he won the battle and I know this because no hens were taken.  I also have 4 dogs that do a great job of chasing off anything that comes in the area. My dogs think the chickens are part of the family and never bother them.

So, one question, there are no dogs on the other side of the fence or loose in the area? Are there any other major predators in the area, especially those that come out mostly during the day?  If not, I'd suggest you try letting them out.  If one of your chickens flies over the fence, if she's pretty clear that she's supposed to roost in the hen house at night, she'll try to get back in at some point and you'll see her frantically pacing back and forth trying to find a hole in the fence! 

Hope this helps,
Guppy

Thank you! I do plan on trying to free range during the day for at least a little while. We have 2 dogs that I plan on getting very familiar with the chickens. I'm not worried about them harming them. We brought 2 cats home (indoor only cats) about a year ago and they know not to bother them. We do have a jerk neighbor down the road that lets his Doberman do whatever she wants. I'll have to be careful about that. She's skittish of my dogs though and never comes around when they're out.
Everyone has given me some great pointers. I really appreciate it!

 

[dragon30276]

They are capable but mine stay within my 4 foot fence. I have had one fly over but she walked the fence all afternoon trying to get back in while the rooster scolded her the whole time. It was as if once she realized what she did she changed her mind. I have BR as well. I am told the smaller the bird. ie pullets and bantams the more likely they are to fly over.

 

[cavemanrich]

They are capable but mine stay within my 4 foot fence. I have had one fly over but she walked the fence all afternoon trying to get back in while the rooster scolded her the whole time. It was as if once she realized what she did she changed her mind. I have BR as well. I am told the smaller the bird. ie pullets and bantams the more likely they are to fly over.

Soooo true. My GOLDEN SEABRITE when I first got her, escaped and flew from tree to tree almost like my pigeons... 4 days later when I caught her a few houses over, I clipped her wings. She was grounded at that point. Later when her wings grew back, she gave up flying. Well the longer distance escape flights anyways. I only clip the wings on some from necessity. I like them to be able to fly away , escape from DANGER . Usually the one time clipping solves the issues.