4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[h&schickens]

Went away for weekend! Parents looking after hens!

 

They are let out all day in a very large run with a 7ft fence to keep them in!!

 

Saturday, parents came round to check on water etc and 5 of them had cleared the fence. One had decided to go and watch my next door neighbour have her tea on her back garden.

 

The 4 Lohmanns had their wings clipped already before we went away, but 1 had got out. Could understand the black rocks clearing the fence. But what can I do now?

 

Black rocks had wings clipped this evening!! I am at work all day tomorrow and have no option but to keep them in the shed till 4pm. I only work 3 days a week.. I feel guilty about leaving them in the shed ( its quite large) Will they be ok??

 

Going to try and make the fence higher this weekend!

[Egluntyne]

They will be fine as long as there is ventilation.....leave them plenty of water though in this weather.

[h&schickens]

Thanks, just can't risk leaving them to clear the fence again!! What height fence should be impossible to clear?

[welsh sarah]

what about some netting over the top?

sarah

[surrey_chickens]

When we clipped the wings of our two, we did what they do in Vietnam which is to trim the barb of the feathers rather than the vane. We used a normal pair of kitchen scissors and by only cutting the barb we didn't hurt the chickens and there was no chance of drawing blood. You can also cut much more of the feather so they'll go absolutely nowhere when they try and fly!

Only thing is, I don't know yet whether the barb grows back or not. Time will tell but looks hopeful...!

 

For reference, here is the wikipedia page on feathers for clarification on what barbs and vanes are! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather

[..lay a little egg for me]

Our 2 black rocks (+ 2 other hybrids) have their wings clipped and none have tried to escape over their 4 ft electric fence. I believe that they try to fly up to the top of the fence and land on it and then jump down the other side, so if the top is wobbly (which the electric netting is), they are put off from attempting it. Perhaps they will be OK now the wings are clipped. I've never seen mine manage to get higher than about 2 ft!!

[Gallina]

Hens like to surprise you. My Cobar (who is like a Cochin, but if anything heavier) did a vertical take-off over my Omlet netting (at full-height) yesterday without any warning at all. I didn't even know she was capable of flying, and I don't think she did either, as she looked quite shocked when she landed.

 

I wouldn't have thought you needed to go much higher than eight feet if the hens have their wings clipped.

 

But if you have foxes around, they won't be put off by a high fence: they always seem to find a way in. So be careful.

[abwsco]

My sisters Ambers cleared 8ft even with clipped wings. Ours haven't tried to fly yet but being exbatts I wouldn't think their wings would be strong enough yet anyway. They do run down the garden flapping though which looks hilarious

[Shelley Cockell]

Are you sure they are not jumping on to something in the run to get a bit of extra height? Mine were getting on an upturned flower pot and flapping over. We have cut their wings, but one is still managing to get over from floor level. The fence is only 3 foot. She junmps on to the chicken wire at the top, gets her balance and then hops over the other side. Not an issue though as she can't clear the 6 foots fence all around the garden.

[Mutrix Farmers]

I assume you have a firm fence that doesn't sway in the wind. I have read that if the object is moving/wobbling/waving chickens can't gauge how and when to jump/fly onto it. I'm hoping to test this theory with a low wobbly fence in front of the french doors to stop them coming in the house.

[Mrs Frugal]

That worked for us. We had a 4 foot fruit cage netting fence to separate the girls run from the rest of the garden and it kept them contained nicely.

[h&schickens]

All great tips from everyone. Thanks very much!.

 

When I went to see them this morning, i felt so guilty about leaving them in the shed, so I let them out!

 

Came back at dinner with a cabbage and some brocoli to hang up for them.

 

All in run, looking pleased to see me (as per usual)! Thank God

 

Trying to get some pics on here in next couple of days of our set up cause its very difficult to describe it!! (wish me luck!!)

 

Thanks again

 

Sarah