How high can they fly?

[Tool]

I have been trying to figure out the best way to cover the top of my run, but it will not be done before I send the girls to their new home. The big question is how high can chickens fly? My fence is a 6' chain link. I know that they can not get up that high right now but when will they be able to? Is it also suggested to clip the wings?

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Im not sure about your breeds but I know that my barred rocks and wyandottes can only get their large butts about a foot off the ground when they fly! Heavier breeds cant get the height that light breeds and bantams can. You should be okay with your fence height but please make sure to cover the top as hawks, owls and other predators can get in for free lunch. You could put a roof on the run to help keep it dry inside or use hardware wire. I have a portable run and used chicken wire, which keeps out the hawks and owls but wouldnt keep out coons, etc. I know some people clip wings to keep their birds from flying over fences. Since that is not an issue for me, I will never clip wings. My girls are happy to stay in the yard. Welcome to the addiction!

 

[Cindy in PA]

My first barred rocks many years ago could get to the top of a 6 ft fence with no problem. Many of my breeds over the years could do the same. They are especially good at it if they have a place to sit on top like a chain link fence rail. The sturdier the fence, the easier it is to fly up and then over. If they want out, they will get out. You can cover it with deer netting and your problem will be solved.

 

[Tool]

Thanks. It may be time to step up the progress.

 

[Judy]

I have seen mine "flap and climb" to get over my 6' fence. It's only happened a few times when there was a problem, though. I used to have a non-dominant rooster who would routinely do this to get away from the lead roo, and I watched a hen do it to get back in one day, while i was trying to catch her.

 

[bwmichaud]

I've never seen a chicken fly to the top of a 6' fence but my Muscovy ducks can fly over one and the drakes will "walk" up the fence using their wings to propel them. It's quite something to see. I'm glad the chickens haven't figured that trick out yet.

 

[Yetti]

The stray we had last year was so thin he easily climbed about 20 feet in the air. when we caught him he was wore out.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
My speckled sussexes -- from a fairly good-sized line, comparable to most of the other larger large-fowl breeds, tho certainly not show Orp size or anything like that -- can EASILY get onto a 6' chainlink fence. When they want to.

Pat

 

[debid]

Yep, my Gertrude, an EE, did the flap & climb recently to the top of 6' chain link and she's only 7 weeks old. I'm putting a top on the run to keep out predators but it wasn't up yet and she did not feel like being caught.

 

[harri]

My 7 week old tetras fly to the top of my 8' coop.