The day before yesterday, one of our hens got out of the run. I thought I figured out how she got out, fixed that area, and today I added another area onto the run. The fence was built 6' high, with the top rail (2 X 4) being 6' off the ground. The chickens were given access to the new area, and while I was working nearby, I heard 2 hens flying. They were sitting on top of the top rail. I didn't know they could fly that high. My wife thinks that if I had the rail a little lower, with the fencing sticking above the rail, they wouldn't try to fly up there. But my thinking is that if they can fly that high to perch, they can also fly over the fence if the choose to do so.
Our birds are almost 21 weeks old now. They were born in May. Are they too young to molt this year? If they might molt, I'd rather not clip the wings. If they certainly won't molt until next year, clipping the wings might be my best bet. Should I clip them, make the fence higher (how high?), or maybe there is another option I'm not considering. Any suggestions? Their run is open on the top, and it's over 600 sq. ft. for 7 chickens.
Ed
Our birds are almost 21 weeks old now. They were born in May. Are they too young to molt this year? If they might molt, I'd rather not clip the wings. If they certainly won't molt until next year, clipping the wings might be my best bet. Should I clip them, make the fence higher (how high?), or maybe there is another option I'm not considering. Any suggestions? Their run is open on the top, and it's over 600 sq. ft. for 7 chickens.
Ed