how high can a chook fly/flutter?

[Nicos]

We are collecting our 6 chooks on Sunday

OH has just finished pointing inside the piggery and will limewash it tonight.
So...my job is sorting out some fencing.
They will be free range during the day and I'm just wondering how high can a chook with clipped wings fly/flutter, and with unclipped wings -as I need to direct them into our field through a holding pen which will have an open gate. The fence is about 3-4 feet high and they wouldn't be able to get through it.
Also - would they squeeze under a gate if it's shut...and if so what sort of gap could they escape through???( will I need to chicken wire the main 5 bar gate)

[lainey lou]

Hello Nicos, bet you can't wait to get your lovely new chooks!
My 3 girls have all had their wings clipped but Molly was still managing to make it over the 5"3 fence! We have raised it to 5"6 and she has given up.

[di]

ooooh how exciting!
As far as how high they fly?When we're not at the lottie ours are in a bout a 6ft high run,but when we're there we let them free range parts of the plot,our lottie only has a 2foot high fence between us & neighbouring plot & although I'm sure they could they've never attempted to get over it.I think as long as there's plenty for them to scratch around/eat & have a general good nosey,then they're not too bothered to find the enthusiasm to get over even a lowish obstacle.~but that's just ours~maybe we have lazy chooks!!
There's a local free range egg farm up the road & it seems they work by the same principal as there's NO fence around thier field!

[MaureenHall]

Depends on the breed really, some of my ex-batts can flap about 3 - 4' and the others 4 - 5'. None of the ex-batts have clipped wings but the Black Star and Bluebelles have. If there's somewhere for them to balance on, then they can fly up to the top of the fence then down the other side. My run has a 3' high wire mesh round it so they can't balance on it, but all the food and goodies are on their side anyway so there's no need to "escape". Rose was a little devil for crawling under the gate (about 6") so I put bricks to block the gap a bit. Definitely chicken wire the 5 bar gate. for the rest, I think I'd observe and rectify problems as they arise. If you can't be with them for long, then cover all possible options.
Good luck with your chooks, you'll certainly open up a whole new aspect to your life You'll wonder how you ever managed without them!

[Hilary B]

You would DEFINITELY need to clip a wing for a 4ft fence to be enough (ONE wing, so they get off balance as soon as they are really trying to fly). Some hens can get up to 7ft with unclipped wings. If they have an open way in front of them, they PROBABLY won't bother going over the sides.....
I have seen hens get under a gate 6 inches off the ground without even slowing down.

[Flummery]

The real answer is 2" higher than the fence you put up! As they roost in trees in the wild, that's how high they can fly. Generally speaking if you clip the long feathers on one wing the chicken unbalances as it tries to fly and can't go high. However, there are stories ...!

Round here the fences are to keep the fox out not he hens in. Maybe you won't have that problem where you are?

[Hilary B]

The real answer is 2" higher than the fence you put up! As they roost in trees in the wild, that's how high they can fly. Generally speaking if you clip the long feathers on one wing the chicken unbalances as it tries to fly and can't go high. However, there are stories ...!

Round here the fences are to keep the fox out not he hens in. Maybe you won't have that problem where you are?

Yep, definitely "just bit higher than the fence". Spot on with the rest too in my experience (and stories I've heard).

[lynda66]

no advice with the flying stuff ...... but enjoy your chickies

[Nicos]

Tis a bit of a dilemma as whether to clip or not.....we do have foxes but only at night as they are people wary ( it's a hunting area).
I'm at home all day but won't be with them a lot of the time( oh yeh???)so I'd like them to be able to escape in an emergency, but not just wander off.
As you say...trial and error
They'll arrive unclipped so at least I can see how they get on.

5 bar gate it is then...and stand back and observe!!!!

[lynda66]

i reckon, i'd leave them unclipped, so they can get away, and see how things go....... you'll be spending all day every day watching them anyway, so you can act accordingly as and when things arise

[Nicos]

So you reckon I should just pull up a chair all day and make a quick omelet for OH's upper????

Can you still buy those see-through brollies so I can stay outside if it rains???? ( ...oh- there's a thought- will they go back inside or shelter under the hedge when it rains???)

[lynda66]

definitely and yes you can still get the brollys if you look hard, best get a big flask and a sandwich box too ....... nope, they will probably stand there looking like drowned rats

[Noodle]

My large fowl have unclipped wings and make it about 2foot off the ground with a good run up! The bantams have clipped wings and can easily flap onto a 5foot bar! It depends on your birds, some like to escape, some don't care! You'll soon find out!
Enjoy them and remember to get everything done you need doing before Christmas, cos once they're here there's no chance!

[Nicos]

I can't think of much that desperately needs doing for a few weeks

[MaureenHall]

See-through brolly sounds good to me. What about one of those shelter thingies that river fishing people use? It's chucking it down with rain here right now and all the chooks are sheltering under the laurel hedge, but one glimpse of me and they all come charging out, wings flapping like crazy to see if I'm bringing any treats!! Then they just stand there looking at each other "you're getting wet there" "I'm getting wet" "Is it wet where you are?" "Think I might go and shelter in a bit"