Rosalie Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 I'm getting 4 chickens on Friday 8 weeks old. They will be in a run at about 10 weeks but will then be letting them out . I am getting Lavender Pekin, Lemon Citrus Sablepoot, Silver Laced Wyandotte and a Lemon Pyle Brahma hens. My question is I have a 6 foot high fence so which if any are likely to escape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 That's a good height for a fence Rosalie. Assume these are all bantams which are generally good flyers, but I'm not sure they will clear 6 feet unless they get onto the coop for takeoff. The danger period is mainly when they are young and not yet laying. The extra weight of eggs in process and the extra feed they will be eating seems to pull them down to earth. We have Leghorn Bantams, which are very flighty but can only just make a 5 foot fence. I wouldn't advise wing clipping. Not only does it spoil their appearance but it removes a primary defence mechanism. We have done it with one problem Leghorn when she was young though. But now they are trained to a shake of the grain treat jug they are easy to retrieve if any wander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosalie Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Yes they are all bantams. I didn't really want to clip but don't want to lose any either will see how they go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choo-chook Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 They sound like a lovely mixed bunch, I don't think you'll have many problems in them getting over, when mine were young I did catch them on my decking handrail but that's only about 4ft. They never even attempt going up now, too much to keep them busy with on the ground, mine are loving this wet weather and all the worms around. Good luck, bet you're super excited. Nicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosalie Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Thanks everyone. Yes very excited now can't wait to see them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Wow sounds good! I've clipped the wings of my bantams. It's not difficult at all and gives me some peace of mind. Even with their wings clipped they still get some height when flapping about the garden. I have a cat myself and my neighbours too. They sometimes will have a go at the ladies and they do try to "fly" off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosalie Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Is it right that if you do clip it's just one wing? I am hoping not to have to with the high fence. I've no idea how big they will be at 8 weeks weeks either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 I only clip the feathers of one wing. With 8 weeks they are probably already able to flap about a bit. Depending on the breed, some might be able to fly. And like Beantree pointed out, youngsters are more likely to fly off then older hens. It doesn't hurt them one bit and is easy enough. You only need a pair of scissors and maybe an extra pair of hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosalie Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Thankyou will look into this just in case so I know what to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
