How can I keep ameraucana chickens in the the pen with the others?

[Winnableflyer]

I have 3 ameraucana hens and two barred rock hens. The ameraucanas always fly out and roost in a tree at night. I had more of them but predators got a few. How can I keep them in with the others?

 

[Kessel23]

Clip one wing on each ameraucana and make sure there is nothing around the fence that they can hop onto to hop out.

 

[Winnableflyer]

I've clipped their wings before but some how the still can fly. My fence is about six feet tall.

 

[Winnableflyer]

Should I cover the top of the pen? If so what should I cover it with so it will not fall inward?

 

[Kessel23]

Only clip one wing, of you clip both then they can still have level flight, an equal amount of force from each wing makes it possible to flutter up a little bit no matter how short you clip it. If one wing has more force than the other then it throws the bird off balance and makes it extremely difficult to fly. Also, go around the fence and make sure there is nothing leaning up against it or near it that the birds can hop on and then hop to the fence. How big is the run? You could probably cover it with netting if you want but you may need to put up some beams in the run to hold up the netting.

 

[Winnableflyer]

The run is about 12 feet wide and 30 feet long. When I clipped their wings the smallest two could still fly out. But the bigger one couldn't. I have a coop in the center of the run but none of them use it to get out.

 

[Winnableflyer]

If I use netting what kind should I use?

 

[Kessel23]

I am not sure, I have not used netting for some years but @The Phantom does, maybe she can help with that.

 

[Winnableflyer]

Ok. Thanks for your help. Those are my first ameraucanas. I had wanted to try them out. I like the blue eggs but I don't think I'll be getting anymore of that breed.

 

[Kessel23]

You should try to stick to heavy breeds if you have a open top run, lighter breeds are usually pretty flighty and annoying to keep in a topless run.