Wing Clipping and Coop Preparation

[Bert3]

I am new to BYC and before I actually dive into the chickens I want to prep my space.

I have approximately 12 ft by 40 ft for my chicken coop and run. I also plan to let my chickens roam my yard when I am home to monitor them.

I plan to divide my chicken space in half with one half for the coop (12 x 20) which will include the coop in the center and will be hard covered from the elements. I plan to use the second half (12 x 20) for the run which will be open to the elements but covered with chicken wire for protection.

My back yard is quite large (about a half acre of roaming area) and is fenced in on three sides by an 8 foot fence and a 4 foot fence across the front. I want to let the chickens roam (under supervision) in the yard.

Questions:
1) Does the coop/run layout make sense for 4 hens?
2) To keep the chickens from hopping the 4 foot fence while roaming, I had planned to trim their flight wings. I have seen other folks trim the wings on just one side.
2a) Thoughts on wing trimming?
2b) With trimmed wings and supervision, will the fence keep them in for yard roaming?

 

[Chickens :)]

A couple of years ago I clipped one wing on each of my chickens because they were clearing the fence which was 1.5m high, and getting themselves in trouble with predators (such as our dog). The only problem we had then was that if somehow a snake, fox or dog came near them when they were free ranging, they had no way to escape. Since then we have made a coop that won’t allow them to fly out but still gives them enough space to roam around.

 

[DobieLover]

A 12x20 coop is GIGANTIC for 4 hens! But, it will give you room for the inevitable chicken math! You might want to cut it back to a 12x10 and make the run 12x30 instead. Chickens love being outside as much as possible. Those dimensions will easily accommodate 30 chickens.
As long as they are being supervised when let loose in your yard, you can retrieve any would be fliers. You'd be surprised just how tenacious they are about getting out once they've truly free ranged. Mine are demons to try to keep in their 1/4 acre pen.
I have no experience with a clipped wing. However, by tomorrow I will!! My little speckled sussex is quite determine to escape their pen and will be getting a wing clipped tonight. Her and her little Easter egger buddy that follows her out.
Have fun with your coop and run construction! Post pictures of your progress. Even better, write an article to document the whole process.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Normally I wouldn't advise on making a smaller coop, but that's seriously overkill... I mean the chickens certainly won't complain, but it's a lot of space! I'd probably go bigger with the enclosed run and smaller with the coop, like maybe a 8x12 coop/chicken supply storage space and the rest of the room as the run.

Now if you're thinking you might get (a lot) more chickens in the future, by all means, a bigger coop would be better.

As far as chickens escaping over a fence, honestly it depends on the chickens themselves. Some chickens love to escape and some don't care to ever try. I have chickens that won't try to go over a 1' fence, and others have gone over 6'. Your 4' fence may be enough with wing clipping, but you won't know until a chicken decides to try something.

 

[centrarchid]

If the wing clipping option is to be pursued, then I suggest clipping both wings to prevent clearing a 4-foot fence. See link below. There is a video embedded showing how close to clip.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...with-perimeter-fencing.1261276/#post-20243847

Improper clipping will not be effective at keeping birds from escaping. Do not clip if you expect chickens to elude a predator chasing them within the run.

 

[jreardon1918]

Our auxiliary run has a 5' fence. Have not clipped wings. Two escapees in 6 months. And both were trying to get back in when I discovered them. Too dumb to fly back in. I think it is big enough that they stay entertained and close to food, water and shelter.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would recommend an all enclosed run. As in wire over the top. Coons can scale a wall like nothing. Hawks and Eagles can fly in.

You will have enough space for lots of options. Welcome, this is fun hobby.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

I would recommend an all enclosed run. As in wire over the top. Coons can scale a wall like nothing. Hawks and Eagles can fly in.

This^^^
Being out there watching them range will get old fast,
and is no guarantee a predator won't attack even with you standing there.

Agrees that a 12x20 coop is huge for 4 birds, but you may want more birds in the future, and that size building will allow you to have 3 separate sections for main flock, new chicks, and storage space.

Lots of research and planning is a good thing....plan and build the coop before you get birds.

Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Ridgerunner]

The way I read your post you plan to cover half your area with a solid roof, maybe to keep rain and snow out, maybe to provide shade, or maybe for some other reason. Under that roof you will put a coop of unknown size. The other half of the area will have a chicken wire top to keep certain predators out. Welcome to the forum, by the way. Glad you found us.

Where you are located would be useful information. That could tell us climate and maybe even what predators you have to deal with. What size of coop do you plan to have under that solid roof and what will it look like? How do you plan to manage them? Will you be locking them in the coop overnight from predator protection or will they be free to range in that area?

Rain and snow will blow in from the side, sunlight will come in from the side. If you are planning on the solid roof keeping the run dry, keeping snow out in winter, or providing shade it will help but may not be 100% effective. Make sure you slope the roof so rainwater runs away from the coop/run, not into it. You may need to use gutters and downspouts, depending on what your area looks like. You may need additional protection on the upwind side or sunny side, depending in a few things.

Overall the plan sounds good, but parts may be overkill for 4 chickens. It would be interesting to know what the coop looks like and size. The wider the span the heavier and longer the lumber to span that needs to be for snow, ice, or wind load. That meas it is more expensive. If you are planning on a single sloped roof you might consider using standard 8' long lumber to reduce costs. With the slope of the roof it will mean less than an 8' width. A roughly 8' x 12' area should be plenty sufficient for 4 chickens if you can keep snow out in the winter. If you go with a gabled roof then these cost savings go away.

Make any roof (solid or wire) tall enough that you and others can walk under it without banging your head. I think you will regret it if you don't. A chicken wire roof will keep most predators out and will act as a deterrent to others. The gauge of the wire and size of the openings has something to do with how effective it is. The heavier the wire (smaller the gauge number) the larger the animal has to be to tear it. It also needs to be able to get a grip. Smaller openings can make it harder for the animal to get teeth or claws into it. Also how it is attached is important. Those connections may be your weak point. Nails, screws, or staples may pull out. A loose flap may give it something to get its teeth into. Some larger animals like a big dog can tear chicken wire and light gauge hardware cloth but most can't get to it up high. A fully grown boar raccoon can climb and can tear it so there is some risk from animals like that.

Is the wire roof going to collect leaves from nearby trees? Snow and ice may build up on it too. If those are a factor you may need substantial supports for your wire roof.

Make your gates big enough so you can get a mower in there. With just four chickens and that much area they should not totally wipe out all vegetation. You will probably need to mow.

I don't clip wings so I won't comment on that. I keep mine inside a fairly large area with 4 feet high netting. They can easily fly over it if they wish but they don't. There can be a big difference in "can" they do something or "do they want to". They are living animals so I can't tell you what will happen. Different things motivate different individuals.

What does that fence look like? Chickens like to perch. If the top of the fence (4' or 8") looks solid it might be a fun place to perch. If they fly up there who knows what side them may hop down on? From my experience even large fowl chickens can fly a lot better than many people give them credit for if they are properly motivated. That may be your largest risk for them getting out, but 8' is a long way up fro a full sized chicken. You will probably be OK.

If I've read this correctly I think it is a good plan. Good luck.

 

[casportpony]

If the wing clipping option is to be pursued, then I suggest clipping both wings to prevent clearing a 4-foot fence. See link below. There is a video embedded showing how close to clip.

I agree, clip both wings.