Flying over fences?

[sukochickens]

I have about a quarter of an acre fenced in on my property that we plan to put the coop in. The fence is about 4 feet high. I would like to let the hens free range for a bit during the day inside the fence. The coop will have a run but I'd like to let them out just so they could enjoy themselves. Should I be worried about them trying to fly over the fence or will they be to interested in foraging to care? I plan on getting barred rocks and I thought they would be to heavy to go that high but now I'm paranoid. I don't plan on leaving them out by themselves for long but I do have a toddler and he would take priority if I needed to urgently go inside for him.

 

[cavemanrich]

With that much room to free range, I don't think your variety of chickens are going to try to see what is beyond the fence. .. My chickens free range in my back yard which is small and they don't leave the yard. It is only fenced on 2 sides, rest is open. The only time that they did cross out of the yard was when the 17 year cicadas were abundant.
ALL WILL BE GOOD.

ALSO

 

[sukochickens]

That makes me feel much better! Thank you!

 

[song of joy]

It depends on the age and inclination of the birds. I have had barred rock pullets (3 to 6 months old) fly over a 4 foot high fence, but they don't seem to do this once they're more mature (8+ months old). I think they could fly over, but they don't seem inclined to when they're older and heavier.

 

[WNCcluck]

We have one that loves to fly over the fence regardless of its height. One night we thought we'd lost her only to find her the next morning roosting 10+ feet off the ground.

Our other seven are happy just to meander without playing Houdini.

So ... final answer is "It depends."

 

[mortie]

Can they see what's on the other side?

I have a 6 ft privacy fence around my yard and it hasn't occurred to my chickens that there is something on the other side of it. I feel like if they could see, they might fly over. They are completely capable of it, I've seen them fly 6 ft + to get on my deck railing. They never go over the privacy fence but I think if it was chain link or something they might.

 

[sukochickens]

It is see through. I'm just going to have to see what they do I guess.

 

[hellokittyfive]

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

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

It depends on the age and inclination of the birds. I have had barred rock pullets (3 to 6 months old) fly over a 4 foot high fence, but they don't seem to do this once they're more mature (8+ months old). I think they could fly over, but they don't seem inclined to when they're older and heavier.

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.

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

Isn't it funny how they can never figure out how to get BACK the same way they came - no matter the species.

 

[hellokittyfive]

Yes, they can be so smart sometimes, and soooooo dumb other times!!