cotnob Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 Hi everybody, I am a new Eglu and chicken owner, getting my 2 girls on St George’s day. Already have had 4 eggs (think one hen is slightly older than the other). Gave them their first taste of freedom last night which was a bit of a heart in the mouth moment but they were fine and went back in their run with no issues. Out of interest how high are the fences in your gardens? We have one section which is only 3 feet high and not sure if that will keep them in, problem is compounded by the next door neighbours garden being 2 feet lower as we are on a hill so if they did get over they might not get back! I will probably get a few pieces of trellis to go along the top which should raise it to about 4 feet. No doubt I will have many more questions and experiences to share. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 Hi Paul and welcome to the forum Your two girls will find 3 feet no problem to get over at all, if you can fix something onto the top of it, it would be better. Have their wings been clipped? Although this still wouldnt stop them jumping over 3 ft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widge Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 Hi Paul, I'm new to this too! We've had our chooks for 3 weeks now and man can they jump! We have a wall that is about 4ft high (maybe just under) in our garden that seperates patio from grass and they spend loads of time perched on it! - They seem to like being as high as possible! So I would agree with Chick Wiggle and suggest putting some extra trellis up! Good Lcuk! W. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 Hi Paul, welcome to the forum. I would definitely invest in some trellis and then train some plants up it. I've found that it's usually in the first few weeks that they try to make their escape bids over fences. Around 6 feet should be ok. I would also clip one of their wings if you haven't already. The flight feathers will soon grow back, but by then they will (hopefully) have given up trying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 Hi Paul - welcome Chickens will get over 3 foot no problem at all - I was shocked when I first got mine at just how high they could go! Eventually mine figured that the food is always at ground level and it's not worth the effort of flying but for a while you need to be careful especially as they will be nervous too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cotnob Posted April 30, 2010 Author Share Posted April 30, 2010 Thanks for the information, yes their wings have been clipped but I think that the trellis is definitely a must. Must admit was shocked how relatively light they are when compared with a 'meat' chicken bought from a supermarket so not surprised that they can get that high. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 What are they? Mine jump in blind excitement for treats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 Welcome to the forum . I have a 3 ft wall along one side of my garden but fixed some trellis on top and none of them can get over it. You'll find they get much heavier once they start laying and get a bit older. That'll limit their harrier jet jumping a bit! Just don't give them a launch pad (like the eglu) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cotnob Posted May 4, 2010 Author Share Posted May 4, 2010 We have a Ranger and a Pepperpot, Ranger seems to tbe the boss, she certainly eats the most of the two. They both adore woodlice, if I pick up a brick or the like they are there like a shot to see what is underneath. They are just starting to lay getting an egg every other day at the moment, eggs are about 3/4 of the normal size (rattle around a bit in an egg box) but taste very good. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
