Raina Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Hi all, I would love my Girls to Free range once we get the fencing up but they can still fly pretty good with their wings clipped (Only on one side) So i was wondering,When letting them FR is there any way i could sew some weights onto a poultry saddle to weigh them down and stop them from flying/jumping round the neighbours garden or would you say it's cruel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 I'd say it isn't a good idea. You would be lessening their chances of escaping from predators if the were weighed down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 How high is the fencing Raina? I think if it was me I would address the fencing rather than restricting the chickens with a saddle is there any way you could put anything on top of the fencing like a piece of trellis or maybe a climbing plant to discourage them from flying up there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 The fencing they managed to jump over before was 6ft (I was really glad we had a good neighbour who found it funny when they would rade his flower beds ) The fencing at this house is 6ft and i'm not sure how high the fencing will be that they will put between the back & front garden (99% of the fencing needs replacing too ) I wasn't thinking of putting it on them all the time just when i'm out the back with them (Maybe any where from 30 mins - 2 hours) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emchook Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Hey Raina You might be onto something there.. not necessarily for stopping the chickens jumping the fence...but maybe you could use it to bulk up chickens muscles for dinner purposes ! Sorry ..couldn't resist .. I have a fantastic picture in my head of this ..although RSPCA may have something to say about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Seems like a bad idea to me Raina Do they fly up to the fence or hop onto other things to get up? What about some omlet/knowles netting to keep them in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 I think that it would not be good as any weights would put pressure on their backs and could cause injury as they try to adapt to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 Ah Okie! Hi Lewis They never hopped onto anything to help them, They just jumped up then flapped their wings,I was scared to death when they (Orakiah) first did it,Didn't think they could jump that high Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Hiya Raina. Quick question:Have you trimmed enough of the primary feathers? If done correctly,it should unbalance them enough to prevent mad flappings to greater heights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 Hi Steve. I think i have, Will have to see if i can cut them a little lower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
