How tall should my fence be

[Rode Island Red 2008]

hello byc, i was wondering how tall my fence should be. i soon wil have 6 chicks and when they get older i will trimm one wing. So please tell me how tall they should be the fence will be around the coop on all sides.

 

[Heather J]

A four-foot wire fence keeps my chickens in their pasture, but that also give them tons of room to roam, and I used T-posts. If you are using heavy wooden posts or a fencing material that can be landed on, you'll need to go at least six feet. Best overall if you net or fence the top of the run if you don't want them to wander and to keep hawks away if you have them in your area. My 2 aracauna roosters flew out of our run every day, but none of the others did. It depends on the kind of birds you have.

 

[Chirpy]

Most chickens can easily fly over a four foot fence. But, if they have lots of space they aren't usually inclined to do so. I have some that can fly over my six foot fence also.

Bantams and the 'flighty' breeds are more likely to fly over a fence whereas the larger standard breeds are less likely to.

If you can, I'd make it a 6 ft. fence all the way around. And, as Heather J mentioned... if you have hawks you may want to cover the run with netting or fencing also.

Most people do not clip their chickens wings. There's really no need to if you put up the proper fence. I've also heard people on here say that they have clipped a wing and the chicken could still fly over a small fence.

Oh ... Welcome to BYC!!

 

[kinnip]

I thought a five foot fence would keep mine in. It did, except for the Blue Andalusians. They just pop right over the top, so now its an eight foot fence.