Birds Q

thebaker · #1 01/22/12, 11:59 AM

We're putting up more fencing an my youngsters have asked too get some laying hens but I say they all fly so can't due to will fly over 5 foot fence.

Is there any hens that will not fly over a 5 foot fence or NOT.? As my youngsters are wanting some hens to get eggs, an we like to get some geese too keep in pens with goats so can try raise babies on their own.

Need some major help!

CarolT · #2 01/22/12, 12:25 PM

We clip the feathers on the wings a couple of times a year and they'll stay inside a 4 foot fence

Your geese will also probably fly over until they get too heavy.

Marilyn · #3 01/22/12, 02:46 PM

The trick might be in purchasing a breed that will end up nice and heavy. I have a flock of Dorkings, with some extra Americaunas and Red/Black Stars thrown in. Not a single one of them has flown out of a 4' fence. That being said, the chicken yard is nice-sized, 300' of fencing and I keep throwing things in there to keep them amused.

Whatever you do, don't buy a bantam breed. Our "free" bantam rooster from Murray McMurray could fly nearly straight up to a branch 20+ feet up in a tree.

Cyngbaeld · #4 01/22/12, 03:38 PM

You can put flight netting over a pen to keep the hens in it.

Missy M · #5 01/22/12, 03:41 PM

I have a 4 foot fence due to the neighbors dogs killing my chickens. I put up the fence, put in the chickens and they just stay. They have their coop, a tree and a dust bath and they are content.

thebaker · #6 01/22/12, 03:52 PM

The pen we're working on is used for goats too. It's for the goats to run an eat it's not really a pen I guess you say it's a big bunch of land.. The fence we've got is 6 foot high so want to keep the chickens from fllying over it an want to get some geese or raise some too have also.

oregon woodsmok · #7 01/22/12, 06:14 PM

I wouldn't be worried so much about the birds flying out as much as keeping predators out. What in your area eats chickens and how high can they jump or climb?

Geese won't fly over the fence.

CarolT · #8 01/22/12, 06:59 PM

"Geese won't fly over the fence."

OK! So who's the joker that keeps coming and putting those 2 young Africans outside their pen?!?

thebaker · #9 01/22/12, 08:07 PM

Does anyone have any really good links to be able to order chicken an others?

Thank you.

CarolT · #10 01/22/12, 10:03 PM

Our local feed stores often have chicks, Tractor Supply has chicks and ducklings, They've seemed to do as well as shipped birds.

#11 01/22/12, 11:11 PM

My chickens have a fenced run but I have been letting them free range. When I try to lock them in the run, they can fly out. Since it snowed they have not flown out of the run and they stay down at the end that is covered and doesn't have any snow. Get yourself a snow making machine and cover the area they want to run around in.

"SPIKE" · #12 01/23/12, 09:31 AM

Get a heavy egg layer or dual purpose bird. My Buff Orpingtons have never tried to fly over the fence. Their original yard has a 5' fence, but they free range with the goats and pigs in an area that has 4' fence. I have never caught them visiting the neighbors. If they are going to be penned up, try to give them plenty of room. If you can, rotate their areas so you can keep some grass growing for them.

SPIKE

WstTxLady · #13 01/23/12, 10:42 AM

I have noticed that all my Wyandottes (Blue Laced Red, Silver Laced, Golden Laced) never offered to fly over anything. Seems they were too plump to want to.

Truckinguy · #14 01/23/12, 11:01 AM

My fence is 7' high and bent in one foot. I have red sex-links, a cuckoo maran and a gold laced wyandotte and I haven't had any fly out yet. I"ve had them dig under, though, so you might want to watch for that. My coop is two feet off the ground and the roof is seven feet high and I've had one of the sex links use the chicken ladder to fly onto the roof of the coop but that was only once.

thebaker · #15 01/23/12, 11:32 AM

Do any of you al have any really good places to get chicks at plus geese?

Our local place doesn't have what need when they do get them in. Thinking of raising a few by hand an not sure if should try an raise geese when young or get pair an let them be. So much to learn about birds,shew weez oh louis.. LOL..

What be best get some chicks an raise or go ahead an find some adult hens that's laying an get them? Also want chickens that will lay through cold time if can.
Oh Yea! All the birds will be free ranging not caged at all. Got 2 old barns they can roost in too. Land is fenced with between wire mesh or cattle woven wires fence is 6 foot high plus post too.

Thanks..

lisa's garden · #16 01/23/12, 01:18 PM

I have had good experiences with Whelp hatchery...they don't charge extra for shipping. Also have had good experiences with Schlect hatchery in Iowa, which is closer for us. If you search on google for hatcheries you will come up with a bunch. I would try to use the ones that are closest to you so the chicks aren't being shipped as far.