Fencing...

[leah]

Hello,

I'm hoping to get a few chickens in the spring, but have been told that they will easily jump over one of my fences!

It is about 4 ft high down one length of my garden (it will cost far too much to replace!). I was thinking of maybe putting trelis along the existing fence, not that it will look that pretty (It is a 'sqaure' picket fence). Are their any other options you could think of that wouldn't cost me a small fortune?

Would they really try to escape? I was told if they have their wings clipped, they might stop laying? I'm not sure I like the idea of having their wings clipped

[Glutton4...]

Just clip one wing, then they're lopsided. Clip both and they may still fly! Trellis on top should be fine. I have one who'll clear my electric netting with one wing clipped and thats just over a metre high.

Also, they seem to be able to fly/hop up onto anything about 2 feet high, so if there are obstacles around to get on to, they'll get higher then take off!

[MaureenHall]

Same as G4 says really. The trellis can be disguised a bit in the Spring/Summer by growing some climbing plants up and through it (make sure it's one that the chooks won't destroy too quickly though )

[Hilary B]

As above, but the only reason wing clipping might affect laying is if the bird is stressed by the event, and that wouldn't last more than a couple of weeks (if that).

[Suechooks]

Also remember if the chooks can get out a fox or dog can get in.
You only clip the feathers of one wing so not sure why the hens would be stressed about it. If you clip a wing they have less chance of escaping from a predator.

[Flummery]

Foxes can climb a 7 ft fence! It's maybe easier to choose an area for a permanent run for your chickens. They need AT LEAST 1 sq metre each - more if you can manage it- and make them a run with a roof - or at least with weldmesh over the top too.

[Snadger]

I'll go with Flums advice on this one......ie the run needs a mesh cover on top.

[leah]

Foxes can climb a 7 ft fence! It's maybe easier to choose an area for a permanent run for your chickens. They need AT LEAST 1 sq metre each - more if you can manage it- and make them a run with a roof - or at least with weldmesh over the top too.

I was going to do them an enclosed run that was large enough for me to stan in to clean, the coop and for them to run around in happily on days where the weather is bad, when we're not home all day etc There would be more than 1sqm per hen (not much more though!). I've got the mesh all ready, just got to build it. I was going to put a plastic corrigated roof on to protect them from the rain. I was also going to make the base paved to prevent foxes digging in and for ease of cleaning, which is another reason I'd want them to be able to go in the garden too, to get their feet on some 'proper' ground.

I was wanting to let them have the freedom of the garden when we were home to let them be as free range as possible I guess I'll have to save up for lots of trellis (would be over 20m! ) I wouldn't have to clip their wings then either

[Hilary B]

Wing clipping is only trimming the feathers nearest the tip of the wing, not anything drastic. It has to be redone after each moult. Depending on breed, chooks may not have much problem getting over a 6ft fence, but MOST will be stopped by wing clipping.

[RichmondHens]

Whoever told you wing clipping stops hens laying is talking nonsense!! It is no more harmful (or stressful) than cutting fingernails. When you buy your birds, ask the breeder/farmer/whoever you buy from to show you how to do it, or get them to do it for you before you take them away. You will need to get used to handling them anyway for health checks. Heavier breeds such as Light Sussex will happily stay within a 4 foot fence if they have a wing clipped. Lighter breeds may get over. Bantams WILL!!

[frias]

I'd say pick a breed that's not known for it's flying ability. My Welsummer girl can fly if she wants to but stays inside the fenced area with the others because the ex-batts don't attempt to fly. I'm sure people that have flyers will know better but I think bantams are more likely to fly than the heavier breeds.

[RichmondHens]

Yes totally agree Frias. I have Welsummers that will happily fly around - one recently saw me approaching with the corn pot and just took off from inside the pen and zoomed over the fence to me (prob about 15 yards), landing at my feet, with an expectant look on her face!!

A big fat Sussex however (and yes I have some of those) couldn't hop over a brick!

[MrsC]

I have 5 and 6 foot fences around my garden which is large, any obvious routes are covered with extra meshing etc. I was nervous about wing clipping but when I got my girls I just did it and they were fine. They like to hop onto things like tables etc and then try to get higher, be aware of this,but so far my only escapee, my White Star Lulu who likes to get into everything, including the house (along with the others in summer) and the shed and wherever else has only strayed into a neighbours garden because I failed to notice an opening.

[tlck9]

Although mine have a permanent run, I allow mine to wander around the allotment which has a just under 4 foot fence around, 3.5 in places, however they seem quite happy to wander and not fly over, but `i wouldnt leave them alone in there just in case

[Hilary B]

When I mentioned stress in relation to wing clipping I was thinking of the fact that SOME birds would be stressed by the handling necessary to actually carry out the operation. I entirely agree that there is no OTHER reason for stress.