[Ben94]

Might sound a silly question, Are my chickens likely to fit through the squares in stock fence?

[Womble]

No, but they'll probably fly over it.


When we had an area re-fenced,  we used horse rylock, which has smaller squares than normal. That meant that we could rear even young pullets without them squeezing through.

[Ben94]

Even with wings clipped?

[Eve]

Our neighbours tried stock fencing, failed miserably. The chickens will fit through the gaps unless they're very large, most chickens are much skinnier than their feathers make them seem. And they will indeed also fly over.


If you clip their wings they can't escape from the fox or other danger!

[Stereo]

Most breeds will fit through the higher holes on standard C8, yes. Plus, if they can see the top of the post, they will fly up on that, often with clipped wings.

[Womble]

Interesting!  I've never seen a fully grown hen go through the holes in our rylock, though the ducks definitely do. Perhaps that's just because it's easier to go over the top?

[Backinwellies]

Ducks go through  and yes hens tend to find way over

[devonlady]

My Yorkshire Terrier can walk through sheep fencing so a hen will certainly be able to.

[Jukes Mum]

My chickens go both through and over stock fencing. Their wings are clipped.

[Womble]

Whereas my chickens are evidently obese! 

[laurelrus]

Our chickens have been in a paddock with stock fencing since we got them last August, and this week for the first time two of them went through the stock fence. The first time it happened I assumed they'd flown over but the following day we saw them just walk through. Of course, when they wanted to get back to the right side of the fence they were completely unable to work out how to get back through and panicked and had to be rescued! We've put chicken wire all the way along now!

[Hevxxx99]

Mine go through and also fail miserably at getting back. At least, if you're watching. Mostly, they don't bother.

I got electric poultry netting and they went through that too. They made surprised "ooo" noises each time they got a shock, but it didn't deter them!