Flying over the run fence

[rebecuna]

My chickens used to have free access to the whole backyard, but we got tired of having poop everywhere so we recently enclosed a run for them. It's plenty big for the number of chickens, with lots of shade, grass and dust bath places. Several times now one of them has gotten a running start and flown over the 4-ft fence to the rest of the yard, and then the rest follow suit. They don't seem to be able to get back in once they're out-- which means no food or water.

How can I keep them in? I thought 4 feet would be tall enough. Is it just that they need some time to get used to having less space or not being able to go to their favorite places under the deck anymore? If so, how do I encourage them to stay in? And if not, what else can I do? It doesn't seem very practical to cover the whole thing with netting, and I'd have to start investing $ to get the fence higher-- my stakes are too short, I'd need more chicken wire, etc.

Thoughts?

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Do you trim their wings?

Hold the wings out from the body and cut off the flight feathers below the coverts. Just use a pair of scissors. Won't hurt the birds, it's just like cutting your hair or fingernails.

After the hens moult, you'll have to do it again because they'll have grown new feathers.

This doesn't always work on light-bodied hens like white Leghorns or small pullets, since they're small enough they can get lift even with their wings trimmed. With those, I sometimes have to take off all the secondary flight feathers, too.

I learned how to trim wings as a parrot owner--here's an article on how to do it with a decent drawing of a wing to show you where the coverts and primary and secondary flight feathers are. http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww19eii.htm

On wing-trimming day at our house, it always looks like there's been a massacre because of all the feathers lying around.

 

[rebecuna]

Thanks, I'll try that. How do you hold them while you clip? Is it a 2-person job? I can't imagine they'd like me stretching their wings out!

 

[arcy liger]

make sure to free range them once a day for an hour so they dont stress out more

 

[Ashdoes]

Wait till it's started getting dark out, they'll get sleepy and are less likely to fight you. Taking them out of the coop after dark works well too.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

We have a 4 ft. fence, too. It's a temporary run that we move from spot to spot but it's a good size. I use deer netting as a cover. It comes in a roll so we cut it to the width of the run and attach it with to the top of the fence posts with zip ties. It's not heavy and is fairly sheer so it doesn't block light or look heavy. It's also inexpensive, which is good!

It works well, have only had one girl try to fly and it gently stopped her without any ill-effects.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

make sure to free range them once a day for an hour so they dont stress out more

Why would they be stressed? They'll be absolutely fine in a run. There is no reason to free range--pastured poultry do just fine.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Thanks, I'll try that. How do you hold them while you clip? Is it a 2-person job? I can't imagine they'd like me stretching their wings out!

After this many years, I can do it by myself. But for a whole group of birds, I get my husband to hold the bird while I snip the feathers.

 

[bcboy]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-clip-trim-the-wings-of-your-chicken-to-prevent-flight