Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[mimischicksnat]

Depending on the breed, they will clear a 4 ft fence even with wings clipped.

I'm concerned if I clip their wings they won't be able to roost? Am I being silly? My roosts start at 18 inches and go up about 18 inches and I have 3 rows. They all are roosting in the rafters anyway!

My run fence is 5' (or is it 6') dang I can't even remember...

Plus I'm terrified to clip them and make a mistake anyway! Mine are all dual purpose breeds and hopefully when they mature they will be too heavy to clear the fence.

 

[wingstone]

Depending on the breed, they will clear a 4 ft fence even with wings clipped.

I'm concerned if I clip their wings they won't be able to roost?  Am I being silly?  My roosts start at 18 inches and go up about 18 inches and I have 3 rows.  They all are roosting in the rafters anyway!

My run fence is 5' (or is it 6') dang I can't even remember...

Plus I'm terrified to clip them and make a mistake anyway!  Mine are all dual purpose breeds and hopefully when they mature they will be too heavy to clear the fence.

It is mostly my lighter one's that clear the fence. 5 ft fence, the serama and leghorn can jump that without ever stretching a wing out....now I also have a 3 year old barred rock hen who is heavy but also clears the fence, even with being clipped, she does it by jumping half way and basically climbing the fence...

If they want out, they will find a way.. I have others who never try to get out even though they can.

Those roost should be fine.

 

[chiques chicks]

I'm concerned if I clip their wings they won't be able to roost?  Am I being silly?  My roosts start at 18 inches and go up about 18 inches and I have 3 rows.  They all are roosting in the rafters anyway!

My run fence is 5' (or is it 6') dang I can't even remember...

Plus I'm terrified to clip them and make a mistake anyway!  Mine are all dual purpose breeds and hopefully when they mature they will be too heavy to clear the fence.

I don't clip wings, a few get out over my 5 ft. fence. I have clipped before, and some still got out.
For the most part mine get out and just hang by the fence. Open the gate and they run back in.

 

[sharron]

As a lizard owner, I do not use the lizard stones for heat. They have been known to cause burns to lizards. I don't think they would be good around hens either. Maybe someone can invent a heated mat type of thing to keep the eggs from freezing in the winter but safe enough not to burn down a coop.

how about using a seed mat, they don't get hot enough to burn but keep the seeds good til they root

 

[barbiegirl]

I don't use anything in my coops with electric. I'm afraid of a barn fire or the electric going out and them my girls are depending on the heat to keep warm. We loose power a lot here in the winter. I just go out and check for eggs many times to prevent the eggs from freezing and splitting. The eggs that do freeze and split I cook up for my dogs!

 

[sharron]

I don't use anything in my coops with electric. I'm afraid of a barn fire or the electric going out and them my girls are depending on the heat to keep warm. We loose power a lot here in the winter. I just go out and check for eggs many times to prevent the eggs from freezing and splitting. The eggs that do freeze and split I cook up for my dogs!

i see, i have electric in two of my chicken coops but the rest don't have electric, i move those around since they're chicken tractors

 

[sharron]

danielle, been eating the heck out of the salad you showed me, soooooooooo good and today we got our first ripe home grown tomato's. fruit market is going to hate losing me

 

[sharron]

forgot to say, also tried the presto on chicken breast but i think i like the uncooked basil best, but both are good

 

[OneMountainAcres]

My ordinances in my area (I'll never tell!) say that we are not allowed to have chickens. I agree with Stake, ask your neighbors. I talked to all of my neighbors who share a fence and property line and they were all okay with it once they were assured there would be no roosters and not much noise. I actually just discovered a few weeks ago someone down the street already has chickens, maybe 6 houses down!
Sounds like it high time for a high fence! Just a tip, my fence is 3 or 4 feet high and my girls can clear it easily. One day I found a chicken on the hood of my car! Not quite the hood ornament I had in mind... And do use caution and introduce you chicks/chickens to your pitbull carefully. Aurora had a sad encounter and this is her second batch of chickens. We worked with our dog and people are always amazed that my chickens free range and the dog runs around freely as well. I'd love to visit when you get yourself situated, and you are welcome to visit here if you as well!

I would never just throw my dog out there with chickens lol!!! I've been introducing them as chicks to her, so that she can get used to their smell, their sound etc. I've got one of the most well mannered, obedient dogs I know. When I say "stop" she stops. I have no worry as far as the chickens are concerned. As for the fence? Yeah...I kinda figured lol Our chain link is 4 ft, but, it kinda sits on a tiny embankment so it's down to about 3 ft. I didn't plan on letting my chickens free range (building a portable run) until the fence is built. Even then, wings are getting done. Thanks for the tips, but, I promise I do have a FEW marbles left!!   It's great to meet you, btw! 

Yes it was quite the disaster. 3 weeks of chicks in the house and slow introductions to the dogs and in 5 minutes of not being supervised, they broke into my brooder (2 large dog cages attached together) and killed all 14 of them. We were all heart broken. Our second group is 18 weeks old tomorrow. 2 of our dogs can be out with them now but they have to be closely supervised. Our bulldog/rottie mix Sparkles is great with them. She has some herding instincts and seems to understand she can't mess with them but she has found out that they leave behind yummy treats (YUCK!). Rocky (terrier mix?) Will focus on them here and there if they flutter around but he listens to our commands. Sadly, our Siberian husky will NEVER be able to be near them at all. Her prey drive is extremely high and there's been no working with her on it. Just be vigilant and never get too comfortable.

 

[MamaFreeRange]

Yes, so I've read. Hence, again, the reason I will NOT be letting them free range until a high privacy fence is built. They will be in a run until that time.