Single hen

[southernchicken]

hi, i'm getting prepared for the new adventure of chicken owning

 

I have a garden roughly 100ft x 35ft that i feel the chooks will enjoy pecking about in. The garden is fully enclosed by 6ft6 fences down both sides and at the back there is a 9ft mesh fence with even taller bushes and hedges growing in front of it.

 

My confusion comes , as this weekend i went and visited a chicken lady in Ringwood who had about 40 chikens 3 turkeys 2 goats and some ducks in a very large enclosure, but there were a couple of chicken roaming around outside the pen, and when i asked why they were out she said '' they hop in and out''.

 

I don't know if their wings weren't clipped ( didn't think to ask at the time) but i am now worried that my fences are not high enough...... Any ideas ???

[Plum]

Perhaps there were buildings near that they jumped on or trees they launched from. How funny.

 

I wouldn't think they could get out of your garden, it sounds wonderful. You might not want them to have all of it when you've seen their gardening skills.

 

Remember a fox can get over barriers if there is something to jump from but you can get tools to prevent that like foxwatch.

[southernchicken]

thinking back their wooden houses were about 3ft from fence , thankyou i just want them to be safe

[chelsea]

There are some fancy/pure breed hens that do not fly or have shorter wingspans so can be kept in lower fencing for example :

 

Orpingtons

Brahmas

Cochins

Favorelles

Silkie

 

As Plum advised though, a fox will easily be able to get in even if your girls cant get out

 

With the fancier heavy/ fluffy breeds though you do have to bear in mind you will probably get less eggs and more broody "episodes" than with a lighter more flightier breed.

[mostin]

Yes, chickens are very good at finding "launch pads" . Once you have removed anything they can launch from they should be fine in your garden whatever breed you get. Beware of foxy-loxy though .

[Falkor]

I have never seen any of my Orps higher off the gound than my largest plant pot (about 1/2m) I haven`t seen any eggs either!

[Hen Watch]

My hybrid Omlet chickens have never got over my 6ft fences.

 

When they were young and lighter, they could get over 4ft (even with wing clipped) but now 2 years on, they are heavier, older and don't get over 4ft unless there is a launch pad nearby.

[sunshinesupernova]

I've only recently got chickens - and thoroughly enjoying them.

 

I've got 2 x cochins and a blue orpington plus three cream legbars. The legbars are as mad as a box of frogs.... but none have thought of tryign the fence (or the gate - which is only waist height.)

 

The cochins can get up into the cube - but do so very ungainley ! They can't fly and are feather balls - even more so than the orpington. THey are also stupidly friendly and come galloping down the garden when they see anyone coming. I can now pick one of them up when she stands at my feet. The other loves a fuss but doesnt like being picked up. I can easily handle and fuss both cochins and the orp - but can't get within 2 feet of the cream legbars.

 

One cochin is laying every day so far - the orpington is laying two on and one off - as is the other cochin. To be honest, they are laying more than I expected these large pure breds would.

 

Given the choice again - cochins all the way for me

[chelsea]

 

Given the choice again - cochins all the way for me

 

me too, mine are adorable but they do test my patience with their broodiness.

 

I will be interested to hear if yours go broody very often or whether I've just got a pair of lightweights!

[sunshinesupernova]

I'm sure time will tell on that one...... early days yet !

[kathryn]

My miniture Orpington cant jump more than about 2 ft, although if there is food to be had she might just manage 2 and a half! Lovely personality - would definitely recommend this breed. They can eat though!!

 

On the other hand I have a Yokahama that can literally fly straight over the garage roof. Since starting to lay though she has lost all interest in exploring and I haven't seen her go over the garden walls since.

[Madchook]

hi, i'm getting prepared for the new adventure of chicken owning

 

I have a garden roughly 100ft x 35ft that i feel the chooks will enjoy pecking about in. The garden is fully enclosed by 6ft6 fences down both sides and at the back there is a 9ft mesh fence with even taller bushes and hedges growing in front of it.

 

My confusion comes , as this weekend i went and visited a chicken lady in Ringwood who had about 40 chikens 3 turkeys 2 goats and some ducks in a very large enclosure, but there were a couple of chicken roaming around outside the pen, and when i asked why they were out she said '' they hop in and out''.

 

I don't know if their wings weren't clipped ( didn't think to ask at the time) but i am now worried that my fences are not high enough...... Any ideas ???

 

Southernchicken, can I ask what breeds she has? (more importantly, any blue or white egg layers?)

[debbie26pet]

There are some fancy/pure breed hens that do not fly or have shorter wingspans so can be kept in lower fencing for example :

 

Orpingtons

Brahmas

Cochins

Favorelles

Silkie

 

As Plum advised though, a fox will easily be able to get in even if your girls cant get out

 

With the fancier heavy/ fluffy breeds though you do have to bear in mind you will probably get less eggs and more broody "episodes" than with a lighter more flightier breed.

 

 

 

Favorelles, mine can def lift of the floor the higher the better she loves the kids swing at the very top bar.

[Omletina Kyckling]

Don't think about leghorns because they can easily clear a 6ft fence. I've given up trying to keep Tiina in the enclosed area as she just flies straight out the minute my back is turned!! She's as daft as a brush too, and a noisy layer!!

[Minnie the Moocher]

None of mine attempt to clear their 6' fenced enclosure.

 

I live near Ringwood. Are you talking about Foxwood Fowl?