Maine

[gracejr]

Any tips on keeping chickens IN their run!? I'm not comfortable free ranging because the neighbor's dog is a proven chicken killer. One of our EEs got out today, naughty miss Blackberry. I'm assuming she flew over the 6' fence, not sure how else she could have escaped! Then of course almost ran right into the neighbors yard when we were trying to get her!

The run is somewhere around 26'x50' or so, so there's not really a practical way to cover it I can think of that will also be sturdy in the winter... At least not without spending an arm and a leg! Plus, I eventually want to get the entire yard fenced in, which would negate any covering anyway. Any ideas on how to keep them in?

 

[Kimmyizme]

Patti, I had luck by stringing yarn from the fence to the coop. My reason for doing it was to keep hawks out and it worked to keep the chickens in too!

Ashandvine: My partner is the brains of the operation, I am the one with the huge barn! LOL She got the SF eggs from a reputable breeder in MA and we have only just begun this summer.

 

[buckabucka]

Patiently waiting for a hissing drake video.........

 

[Widget]

Found this one on You Tube. Sounds just like my drake.

 

[gracejr]

Found this one on You Tube. Sounds just like my drake.

Oh my! Well, I certainly wouldn't want to come across that late at night!!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Any tips on keeping chickens IN their run!? I'm not comfortable free ranging because the neighbor's dog is a proven chicken killer. One of our EEs got out today, naughty miss Blackberry. I'm assuming she flew over the 6' fence, not sure how else she could have escaped! Then of course almost ran right into the neighbors yard when we were trying to get her!

The run is somewhere around 26'x50' or so, so there's not really a practical way to cover it I can think of that will also be sturdy in the winter... At least not without spending an arm and a leg! Plus, I eventually want to get the entire yard fenced in, which would negate any covering anyway. Any ideas on how to keep them in?

Would suggest clipping ONE wing (not both) - the long, thick flight feathers only.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Found this one on You Tube. Sounds just like my drake.

Yup, that's it. The only difference is my pekin is HUGE and he will give chase - will run after whatever he's chasing (including humans) with his head practically down to the ground doing the hiss thing.

I find it comical.

 

[hoppy]

I was always taught to clip both wings but with heavy bodied birds, you need to do less feathers off each side. so 2 on each side might be enough, if you have a more streamlined bird, then you will need to trim more. I suggest you do 2 on each side and see how they fly. if you cut too many, they just crash if they jump off something. when clipping, you are cutting the outer most feathers but only up to the next row of feathers.

Would suggest clipping ONE wing (not both) - the long, thick flight feathers only.

 

[gracejr]

I was always taught to clip both wings but with heavy bodied birds, you need to do less feathers off each side. so 2 on each side might be enough, if you have a more streamlined bird, then you will need to trim more. I suggest you do 2 on each side and see how they fly. if you cut too many, they just crash if they jump off something. when clipping, you are cutting the outer most feathers but only up to the next row of feathers.  

I hadn't thought of wing clipping - will have to try that. Probably easier than trying to run the twine lol How often do you need to clip? Monthly? The one who escaped today was an easter egger, she's pretty light. At least compared to the Brahma gal and the orpington roos!

 

[annabananaandfamily]

First night in our new house! And the chickens have all been moved into their new coop as well. Its a little smaller than is really needed for the number of birds I have, but it will have to work for now until the hubs can build an addition for me. We brought the birds over quite uneventfully this evening after they had settled in for the night and the transition went rather smoothly. How long would you guys think I should leave them in their coop before letting them out to explore their new home? I am so excited for them to see all the new space they have!