[chasechicken]

I often get random thoughts throughout the day.

If a chicken was picked up by a large bird of prey and then dropped from some height, would its wings offer enough resistance to land safely?  Or... would it just land in a heap (if a heap, then what do you think chances of survival are)?

What d'you reckon......?

[p.s. I don't plan to test this, don't worry!]

[Casey76]

It depends on the mass of the bird

Looking at how my birds land after jumping down from my terrace (about 2.5m), or when I've poked a bird out of the tree (about 4.0m); the little ones (my sabelpoots and bantam dottes) can flap enough to land and keep their feet.

The larger birds used to end up in a "running" landing.

When my 15lb cockerels jumped off the terrace they used to land in an ungainly heap.

[8doubles]

Probably full of talon holes, mortally wounded and past flapping to be brutally honest.
I think a healthy hen would do a few cartwheels if she tried a fast landing through lack of experience.

[chasechicken]

Interesting points.. agreed they'd probably be dead in the first place!

I don't think it would go down well with the animals rights people if I started training my hens to land from a great height...   

[8doubles]

Even when they hit the ground from 4ft high there is a hefty thump.

[chasechicken]

But.. if they have say 40ft to get into the swing of things maybe they find a way.....

[ManicMum]

I often get random thoughts throughout the day.

If a chicken was picked up by a large bird of prey and then dropped from some height, would its wings offer enough resistance to land safely?  Or... would it just land in a heap (if a heap, then what do you think chances of survival are)?

I reckon you should get out more (or take more water with it).

[Ice]

Why not just fit them with parachutes then you wouldn't need to worry.

[Lindeggs]

Some questions:

• Has your chicken had her wing feathers clipped?
• Has she moulted recently?  If so, have her flight feathers grown back fully, and has she maintained them in good condition?
• What breed is she?
• How much does she weigh?
• Has she had plenty of opportunity to exercise her wing and leg muscles and landing technique? (eg a ladder up to a height, then flap down)
• Was she physically injured in the attack?
• How does she respond to stress - does she tend to panic or go into shock?
• What surface did she land on?

I prefer the parachute idea.

[Ice]

You forgot to ask how aerodynamic the hen is Lindeggs.  Will she glide or just plummet?

[Lindeggs]

You forgot to ask how aerodynamic the hen is Lindeggs.  Will she glide or just plummet?

True.  A disadvantage for those hens whose breed standards describe their body shape as "brick-like."

• What does she more closely resemble, a brick or a sailing yacht?

[SoniaBA]

  Just wanted to say, This thead has properly made me laugh 

[chasechicken]

Laugh?  This is a serious thread. 

Ok, so perhaps I'm joking a little... but it was a serious question.  I'm still drawing up various diagrams to ascertain the optimum height/flap ratio.

[hillfooter]

It's no problem for them they can just free fall till they are two foot from the ground and just jump the rest.  They can easily manage that!

HF

[SoniaBA]

Sorry chasechicken, i am aware of how serious this topic is. I wil go to the naughty step 

I think the same as HF, they do have amazing tigger properties