my rir x leghorn is climbing my trees....help

[henrietta101]

I am new to this chicken keeping. I purchased a rir x leghorn today. Yes, only one. (I will be buying 3 more on Wednesday). Anyway, all was going well, it is a very friendly little bird 16 weeks. Then it started to fly around, up on my windown sill which was fine as I was chopping carrots. The problem began when it started to flap up into the trees. I really lost it when she flew up into my 2 year old sons face and he has a scratch under his eye. He wasnt doing anything to her just standing there looking at her.

We have built a house with a run so she is locked away safe tonight. Trouble was in the fenced yard part she climbs into trees going towards my neighbours fence. Is this normal? I spoke to a friend who said to clip her wings. Is it normal that you need to clip their wings? is this just part of chicken keeping and i did not know about it? should it fix my problem?

Please help. I am REALLY upset as I did not expect this flying thing and have put her area in a lovely spot with trees and vines. I wanted the chickens to keep cool in the heat this summer

 

[brownysfp]

Hi
Clipping her wings should stop the tree problems but she could still jump/flap up into your boy's face. I don't know what would stop that happening; she might be less flighty with companions. Any of our birds that show a tendency to fly get clipped: one of the Limousines (Coq de Peche) nominated herself just earlier. She launched herself from the roof of the coop (about 3' off the ground) and cleared my head by a good 2' in pursuit of something juicy. I'm 6' - she landed about 20' away. darn impressive but I'm sharpening the scissors.

 

[henrietta101]

once they are clipped how high can they fly?

 

[henrietta101]

do all breeds have this difficulty?

 

[brownysfp]

Depends on the breed, I guess; I've never seen our Brahmas get even a few inches off the ground. Our Maran and Sussex hens can clear a 5' fence and they've been clipped! None of the roos seem to have the ooomph to get too high but they probably don't need to...