How high can they go?

[greatplainschicks]

We were wondering how high can chickens "fly/jump"? Especially interested in the Silkies and Ameracauna and we are wondering if they can get over 6' high panels? To cover or not to cover??????

 

[alex]

Ummm...silkies prefer to be on the ground so they can only fly up 1-2 feet....i dont know about Ameracauna...

 

[dacjohns]

This was discussed in another thread a few days (weeks?) ago. Some folks talking about some birds getting to the top of an 8 foot fence. I'm hoping 5 feet will fool them.

 

[greatplainschicks]

8 feet is quite a jump!!!! I will try to to find the past thread but would love to hear from others. Thanks

 

[Bi0sC0mp]

i got when hen who i think has rabbit in her she can jump 7/8 foot up no problem at all

 

[Zenbirder]

Out of 18 hens only my EE Cleopatra would go over your 6 foot fence, very very easily. None of the rest will even go over the three foot fence, even the other EE. So our Cleo free ranges and none of the others do unless I open the gate for them. I can keep Cleo out of the garden by using two feet of bird netting on top of the six foot fence because she flies to the top of a fence, lands, and flies down. If she can't land on top of something solid she won't fly over!

 

[SpottedCrow]

Jerry and Obelisk, my Standard Leghorns would got from the bottom of their hutch to the top and from there to 10-20 feet up the pine trees. I wound up clipping their wings when they'd go over the 4 foot fence to eat the neighbour's grass seed. And I added a volley ball net all along the fence line to keep em in.

Never had a problem with Slifer, who flew like a brick or Penny or Tom.

 

[HillCountryMomma]

I don't know about silkies, but in my experience the Ameracaunas would be over the fence in a heart beat! I have 4 Ameracaunas. 2 have taken to roosting in our shop either on top of the hanging lights or on top of the frame for the roll up garage door. Both spots are *well* over 6'. The other morning I walked out our back door and one of my Ameracauna hens flew off the roof of the house!!! That is at least 8', probably more.

So, I'd say you need higher fences or a top!

None of my other chickens push the height limits. I have mature Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, a Jersey Black Giant, a Buff Orpington and then young Black Australorps & Black Sex Links in addition to my Americaunas. Freedom Rangers as well.... but they stay pretty grounded fat little meat balls that they are!

Liz

 

[SpottedCrow]

Heavies don't really fly well...BANTIES do though...I once had Penny go straight through the house from the back porch to the living room without touching ground...never quite got used to that flying stuff...

 

[Wynette]

Two of my six EE's have been to the very top of my fence (my run is covered), which it about 6 1/2' high. I also have mine covered (with chicken wire) for predator protection. We've got lots of owls, and also hawks. Since I only have 6 laying hens right now, I cannot afford to have one picked up & taken away!

I also have a wheaten penedesenca that I've seen, on more than one occasion, fly to the top of the run, and actually HOVER there like a little helicopter, flying back & forth, as if looking for a way out. I was glad I opted to cover it when I saw her do that, because if she ever gets out, I'll have a very hard time getting her back in.