How high can chickens jump/fly?

[NotSoChickenLove]

I've only had chickens for a few months, but I believe the answer is a bit higher than whatever fence you build. Little buggers. I don't clip their wings, in case they need to fly from a cat or something.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Our big birds like the Black Giants, Buffs and such easily land on a 4 ft fence or perch. Leghorns, ours anyway are lighter. We have a sweety named Tweety. She is a Leghorn cross. She can fly up 8ft without trying. Once she is high enough, she can fly a great distance. She goes where she wants. So we let her. I joke and say she has an All Access Pass!
She may be an exception to the rule because she is spoiled. She follows me around mooching quite a bit. If she is close enough and high enough she lands on my arm like a parrot. We need to video it someday.

We do clip wings of all birds periodically (except sweet tweet) so they don't get into the garden or worse... The neighboring yards with dogs.

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[WhtRos2]

Because my babies like to visit all the neighbors for a block away, stop traffic and have no respect for my flower beds, I've had to imprison them in a predator-proof pen. They have killed off all the grass and both shrubs. I feel guilty about locking them up and don't have the ability to build a chicken tractor so I put up a movable fence in the backyard. My problem child is an Americana who runs around looking for a way under the fence; not finding any, she flies over. Clipping 1 wing as far as I dare didn't slow her down so I foolishly clipped her other one. What more can I do other than a ball and chain?

 

[WhtRos2]

Because my babies like to visit all the neighbors for a block away, stop traffic and have no respect for my flower beds, I've had to imprison them in a predator-proof pen. They have killed off all the grass and both shrubs. I feel guilty about locking them up and don't have the ability to build a chicken tractor so I put up a movable fence in the backyard. My problem child is an Americana who runs around looking for a way under the fence; not finding any, she flies over. Clipping 1 wing as far as I dare didn't slow her down so I foolishly clipped her other one. What more can I do other than a ball and chain?

 

[Lazy Farmer]

We clip our Easter Eggers too. They are medium size and like to wonder. The grass is always greener in the neighbors yard.. They believe that anyway. Their feathers grow back quickly.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I have a few Americana hens that I would like to put in a movable fenced area in my backyard. If I clip their wings, will they still jump a 2 ft fence with no top rail? Barbara

I have EEs with clipped wings. They jump into nest boxes that are higher off the ground than 2 feet with no problem.

 

[BYCforlife]

My chickens can fly out of a 5 foot high chicken wire fence easily. The fence is more to keep predators out, not chickens in. I think if you have predators, you should go eith a 4 or 5 foot fence.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

This is a very old thread but one time my hatchery leghorn got stuck outside the pen. I found her in the tree, 7' off the ground, just within arms reach. It's possible she could have used lower objects to get up there... But it was right outside the chicken fence, too, only by about 3'! The branch went right over the chicken pen... Why didn't she jump back in with the rest of the flock!? Crazy ol birds.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

My chickens can fly out of a 5 foot high chicken wire fence easily. The fence is more to keep predators out, not chickens in. I think if you have predators, you should go eith a 4 or 5 foot fence.

Raccoons can easily scale over any fence.. We had a coon problem a couple years ago. Couldn't figure out the point of entry until we placed a hunting camera near the run. We caught 3 coons climbing over the fence with ease. Also is was broad day light even though they are a nocturnal animal.
We bought and installed a electric pulse zapper along the bottom, middle and near the top going slightly outwards so they can't hop over the wire. It pulses evey other second giving the animal a chance to scram. Raccoons are smart, you have to out smart them and even a 12' fence is only keeping birds in not keeping certain predators out.
Take care and God Bless!

 

[ForrestGump]

It depends on breed and body type. My lighter birds can easily fly up on the roof of the house, which is over eight feet up. My fat Marans can't get over a 5 foot fence.