Leghorns on the lam

[Coopscraft]

a certain set of leghorns have grown accustomed to never returning to the coop. To call them free range would be an understatement. They actually never come in to roost or feed. That also means their eggs could be anywhere Carmen San Diego might go. Other than clipping feathers or full on overhead netting, what to do?

 

[Rammy]

Wait for them to roost, catch them, lock them up.

 

[aart]

a certain set of leghorns have grown accustomed to never returning to the coop. To call them free range would be an understatement. They actually never come in to roost or feed. That also means their eggs could be anywhere Carmen San Diego might go. Other than clipping feathers or full on overhead netting, what to do?

Your post made me laugh...especially the Carmen San Diego reference,
my kids loved that game(like 40 years ago)!

So how long have you 'had' these birds?
Did you 'home' them to the coop when you got them?
Do you have other birds?
Knowing more about your flock(numbers, ages, genders)
and their housing(coop/run sizes, in feet by feet, with pics) would help.

 

[Coopscraft]

There are thirteen leghorns housed separate from 15 austrolorps and 20 something Easter Eggers. All breeds kept in separate runs. The leghorns, I believe, are in a 32ft2 coop and not sure on the run. They were ok for a while I think and then they started roosting in the tree overhead. Then figured out how to fly over the 6ft fence. The keeper clipped half of them flight feathers on one side yesterday and reports they no longer get out of the run. I recommended he put a perch in the coop and lock them indoors for three days with a light. Oh, and he has had them since chicks and they are just beginning to lay.

 

[aart]

There are thirteen leghorns housed separate from 15 austrolorps and 20 something Easter Eggers. All breeds kept in separate runs. The leghorns, I believe, are in a 32ft2 coop and not sure on the run. They were ok for a while I think and then they started roosting in the tree overhead. Then figured out how to fly over the 6ft fence. The keeper clipped half of them flight feathers on one side yesterday and reports they no longer get out of the run. I recommended he put a perch in the coop and lock them indoors for three days with a light. Oh, and he has had them since chicks and they are just beginning to lay.

So these are not your birds....yet you know the SQFtage of the coop??
Am guessing they'd rather be in the trees than in a too small coop?

 

[Coopscraft]

It’s a friend I know well. He trimmed their wings and moved them into the barn with the turkeys and americanas.

 

[Coopscraft]

Interestingly my leghorns of the same age are starting to get out of the netting too even though I have a spacious run and I really don’t mind if they range a bit. I have been letting them roost in the tree for a month and it’s done no harm to me. When I build my new bird barn I plan to build it like an aviary with plenty of room to fly within the run for those that are so inclined.