observation of birds coming off roost?

[centrarchid]

Based on video of Sallie and Eduardo flying from front porch to near or on feeding station (posst # 32 of this thread) I was able to come up with average speed estimates. Both flew about 125 feet with flight durations of approximately 4 seconds (Sallie) and 5 seconds (Eduardo). Estimates are 21 and 17 miles per hour for Sallie and Eduardo, respectively. Estimates are crude. Error could be a couple miles per hour plus or minus estimates.


Both birds were flying very near their stall speed, Eduardo may have been below as indicated by his angle of attack and effort invested in flapping. It is assumed flight speed was constant but clearly slower speeds realized at beginning and end of each flight. Longer distance flight would give a higher average speed even if maximum unchanged owing to lesser proportion of flight involved with changes of speed during launch and landing. If correct, then longer flights will have average speeds approaching 25 miles per hour which I suspect is the minimum speed they can sustain for any distance. Longer distance flights may be more efficient at higher speeds as birds can then be trimmed out as moving through air. Willing to bet the optimal speed for longer flights will be pushing 35 miles per hour.

 

[centrarchid]

I had to do it a couple more times. Showing Sallie and Eduardo making short flights providing me with ensight on how to make quality video clips. First video shoes takeoff up close. Sallie goes first with Eduardo hot on her heels. Sallie flies up to feeding station then makes a 135 degree right turn around Cackle Gang's roost then flying another 30 feet towards car. Wrrrrrr cackles can be heard prior to launch.

Second clip, a wee bit long shows both birds flying back almost into camera.

 

[bawk_bawk]

When I open up the door for them to go into their little yard, sometimes one of them will hop onto the door and then on my head and then into the yard and then give me the stink eye, as if I were not a good roost. Also, forgetful chickens trying to figure out how to get down are HILARIOUS.

 

[eggbuster]

I have been curious about how my 5 month old Cx's get off the roost. They roost on the 3 footer. Today I finally saw it. They fly off like a regular chicken, maybe covering 3 ft horizontal distance, but have perfected the bounce when they hit the ground. They hit the ground on their feet with a squat already happening and spring up and forward. They handle their wt. really well. I was impressed. I have a 1' roost for them but they never use it. They jump up to the roost without a problem.

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
My brother had some Cornish cross chicks that as they matured were able to get 50 feet up into a white pine tree with games to roost. They had to make multiple 3 foot vertical flights between rings of branches at each node. They were very loud in respect to flapping of wings with each little flight. They came down in same manner while games came down in one flight.