[youngnewbie]

Hello all,

I'm new to all this chicken keeping, have done plenty of research before taking the plunge, but no going back now.
Picked up my 4 hybrid girls (18weeks ish) on Sunday, they have been kept in the coop and adjoined run for 2 days. Did the wing clipping bit on the advice of the breeder, all went ok....and let them scratch around in the larger run(12ft x 8ft ish).
Thought that by putting the coop(with adjoined run) in the larger enclosure, they can be kept in the small run whilst were out at work, then let out to roam the larger enclosure when were home...
Little did I know that they would jump/flap their way onto the roof of the hen house and look longingly at the top of the 7ft chk wire fencing...
What have I done wrong? too small enclosure or not clipped wing enough? chose adventurous chooks? HELP!

[Sassy]

I'm sure they are just investigating and the grass is always greener on the other side. If they were battery hens they would only have a fraction of the space you are offering.

[ManicMum]

Give them lots of things to jump onto & walk under and perch on in the run - pallets work well for constructing an interesting play area - so inside the run continues to offer challenges.

It won't entirely cure the problem - they all want to go that little bit further, clipped wings or no - but it might help.

[Casey76]

Even wing clipped (you did only do the one side, right?) a hybrid hen can still flutter up and over 4 or 5 feet, especially if they have something to dig their toes into

No matter how much space you give your chooks it will never be enough, and they will always pace the fence - but only when you are watching lol.

My flock (about 14 LF hens/pullets I think) have over 100sqm to range about in, but they always squash themselves along the fence looking as pathetic as possible when I go into the garden or on the terrace!