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[carrotspine]

Hi all,

Once again I turn to the Omlet forum for help! Yesterday my huge Sussex, Helen, managed to escape from the run and into the garden, luckily she didn't find the strawberry plants!. Then Gin, the Warren, had a go by making a leap of faith off the top of the run and into the abyss. She didn't succeed but I'm sure they are all plotting now! THey have the run attached to the Eglu while I'm out and then a space fenced in with Omlet fencing to free range in while I aam watch them. My lovely mum was chicken sitting when the escape happened and had gone to the front door. I read somewhere on the forum that you can put fruit netting over the run to stop them flying off, Is this ok? I have clipped all their wings too. I wouldn't mind too much except both neighbours have dogs which would eat the girls and there's woodland at the back where I might lose them. Sorry to go on, I've only had them two weeks and I'm still learning. OH also had two soft shells today but I'm I'm going to up the calcium this weekend, worm and flea them, including the cats! THanks everyone

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Oh dear . I have a big hefty girl who's been escaping recently too . I worked out she was jumping onto the compost bin so I've repositioned the bird feeders so they're in the way .

 

You could use fruit netting but I'd worry about them getting tangled in it as it's so flimsy. If it was me I would probably try and get some of that plastic netting that is a bit more rigid and less tangle-able. Depends on how big your area is, though, how practicable that would be. An alternative would be to add some of that plastic netting to the top of the Omlet netting just to make it a foot or so higher. Perhaps with canes and cable ties? Wouldn't look so nice but better than next doors' dogs getting them!

Edited June 7, 2013 by Guest

[chuckmum6]

My enormous Sussex, used to jump onto the trampoline and then launch herself over the netting and out! However since I have my WIR, the amazing trampolining chicken is no more! My tiny pekins who used to squeeze in the holes in the Omlet, like a cartoon characters, are now staying where I want them! Likewise Moneypenny, who used to escape and lay eggs in the incinerator, is now like all the others completely contained and in my power :twisted: evil laugh!!!!! Oh the joy of my WIR the gift that keeps on giving!

[carrotspine]

Thanks everyone,

What Is it with the Sussex's, are they just enormous wannabe flying machines? I would love a walk in run but my budget at the moment is recovering from the omlet and fencing! I like the idea of making the fencing higher, I am quite crafty so I might be able to tart it up a bit and add some establishments That could be my next project! I'm out with them at the moment and hopefully none of them are daft enough to try escaping, although ....

[clucker1]

OH NO!!!! I have just bought a Sussex well she is called a Sussex hybrid. Is this the same type of bird as yours?

As soon as she comes out into our larger wir, she always fly vertically.....signs of things to come??? Will make sure her wings are clipped before she free ranges with the others this weekend.

Edited June 11, 2013 by Guest

[chickanne]

Aaargh!

Wish I'd read this thread before purchasing Millie, another light Sussex cross!

She too can achieve vertical takeoff and jumped over the washing line full of washing as well as the Omlet netting!

I have not clipped her wing but get the feeling she will not be too inconvenienced by this. Am hoping she will calm down once she is laying and a bit heavier - or am I just deluding myself?

[good_egg]

I'm still getting over the image of a trampolining hen... Bless our pure breed Buff Sussex, I don't think she can get more than a foot off the floor if her life depends on it she is so big. They occasionally try and fly across the garden and all she achieves is an ungainly run with her wings out. OH has just described as an aborted aircraft landing! Good luck with the netting extension!

[carrotspine]

I have looked at your link All Knowing Superchicken and Helen is a Sussex Hybrid, the same as the ones on the website. As I'm really new at this I don't know if they are prone to flying high but the trampoling chicken is making me smile. I looked at walk in runs last night and tried to pursuade my husband, he just said, we'll see how we get on with them now, so I'm not hopeful, but I have a significant birthday next year so there may be room for negotiation ! Mind you by that time Helen could be roosting on the roof! No one has attempted flight since their wings were clipped so they may have got the message......

[chuckmum6]

I'm still getting over the image of a trampolining hen... Bless our pure breed Buff Sussex, I don't think she can get more than a foot off the floor if her life depends on it she is big.

It was indeed a sight to see, dare I say poultry in motion, she too is a massive Buff Sussex, but one with amazing up thrust! I did try to video her but never managed to catch her, now the trampoline has been sold, so her acrobatic days are no more .

[chickanne]

Clipped their left wings yesterday after Millie did Harrier Jump Jet impersonation over 7 foot fence! This means she could easily escape from their wir as it has no top!

Have to forgive her though as she laid her first egg today.

[charly1979]

now the trampoline has been sold, so her acrobatic days are no more .

 

Well that was a bit mean selling the trampoline

 

I too have ended up with a WIR to stop my girls FR when they please the only issue now is the 11 DD opening the run to cuddle her favourite (or to be honest which ever one she catches) in doing so she completely forgets to close the door needless to say they don't take long to get out, Hubby nearly blew a blood vessel as this happened tonight whilst he was mid swapping of fence panel ! Theres him trying to carry a heavy fence panel with 7 chickens under his feet one of them Prilly making a dash for the neighbours garden thank goodness his dog wasn't outside !!

 

Never short of a giggle when you keep chickens !!

[LottyJ1]

Its not just sussex hens I have a black Plymouth Rock who can easily fly over chicken netting without a run up and sounds like a massive pigeon falling out of the sky!

 

I am going to clip her wing and see if that helps but I didn't really want to.