Chickens are remarkable creatures. As descendants of junglefowl, they still have a natural urge to fly, even though they have been tamed. But chickens in the backyard can only fly so far because their bodies are heavy and their wings are small.
This is a common question for new chicken keepers On one hand, chickens appear too bulky for sustained flight On the other, their ability to flutter over fences prompts concerns about escapees.
So can chickens really fly? The short answer is yes, but with limits. While chickens are technically considered “flightless birds”, they can still manage short bursts of flight. Let’s explore exactly how airborne chickens can get based on breeds, anatomy and flight feats.
Anatomy Limits Chicken Flight
To understand how far chickens can fly, we must consider their anatomy. Chickens have relatively small wings compared to their body size. This ratio makes sustained flight difficult.
Hawks and swallows are great flyers, but chickens don’t have the long, strong wings that are needed for long flights. Their wings are better for short flights than for migration or soaring.
The average chicken weighs between 5 to 10 pounds. Heavy bodies combined with small wings prevent chickens from gaining altitude or gliding over long distances. They simply don’t have the physical attributes for prolonged flight.
Short Bursts Are The Norm
Yes, chickens can fly, but only short, low flights. The average backyard chicken can only stay in the air for a short time. It usually flies 8 to 15 feet horizontally.
Their vertical reach is limited too. Most chickens that fly will only get 6 to 10 feet high before they land back on the ground.
These short distances are quite different from lengthy migrations by birds like arctic terns. For chicken flight, just a few seconds of being airborne is normal.
Chickens usually fly vertically to reach high roosts or horizontally to evade predators. Occasional Pecking Order disputes also prompt short flights. But outside of these needs, chickens rarely take leisurely flights simply to stretch their wings.
Breed Impacts Flight Potential
While all chickens are capable of short flights, some breeds are more suited for airborne activity. Lighter breeds can gain more altitude and distance in the air compared to heavyset chickens.
Leghorns, bantams, and lean breeds have an easier time getting airborne thanks to their petite frames. They may fly 10 to 20 feet on average, especially when feeling threatened.
On the contrary, large chicken breeds struggle with flying. The excessive weight of Orpingtons, Brahmas, and Cornish makes flying difficult. If they do flutter upwards, expect a quick 3 feet of altitude at best.
There are always exceptions based on individual chickens. But generally, smaller birds will outfly their heavyweight counterparts when it comes to chicken flight.
Feral Chickens Can Fly Farther
Domestic chickens have largely lost their ancestral flying skills through selective breeding. But feral chickens demonstrate the latent flight potential of the species.
Hawaii’s wild chicken population shows how far chickens can fly when reverting to natural junglefowl instincts. These wily birds fly frequently, sometimes covering 300 feet in a single flight.
By utilizing downhill momentum and strong winds, feral chickens may even reach heights over 40 feet. Their skills put domesticated chickens to shame.
Of course, these lengthy flights are atypical even in wild chickens. But they prove with proper motivation, the right conditions, and strong wings, chickens can become better fliers.
Discouraging Chicken Flight
For safety and containment, many chicken keepers wish to curb flight. Here are some tips if your flock becomes airborne:
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Use covered chicken runs to prevent vertical flights.
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Install tall fences (5-6 feet) around chicken coops and yards.
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Clip primary wing feathers so chickens become grounded.
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Choose heavyset chicken breeds that are non-fliers.
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Provide ramps and steps for roost access instead of high perches.
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Distract flighty chickens with treats or toys when they attempt flying.
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Weigh down light breeds by feeding grain-heavy diets.
With minor management adjustments, it’s possible to keep backyard chickens flightless. This reduces straying incidents and injuries from crash landings.
The Verdict: Yes, Chickens Can Fly!
Chickens retain their ancestral urge to take wing thanks to their junglefowl DNA. But selective breeding has reduced their aerial abilities compared to wild fowl.
Still, today’s chickens can manage brief bursts of flight. With a running start and some wind behind them, chickens may fly 10 to 40 feet horizontally. Their vertical reach is lower, usually under 15 feet in the air.
While these short distances are nothing to squawk about, they can be problematic for free-ranging flocks. Fortunately, there are solutions to keep chickens grounded if their flight feats become an issue.
So although they’ll never migrate south or compete in the birder Olympics, backyard chickens still enjoy the thrill of a quick flutter now and then. Their limited flights reveal the enduring spirit of their high-flying ancestors.
The Evolutionary Perspective: Why Chickens Lost Their Ability to Fly
Our current-day chickens are all descendants of the jungle fowl. Wild jungle fowl live in sub-tropical and tropical areas around the world. These feral descendants of our chickens are small and active.
Since jungle fowl are small and light, they can fly for short distances. Because of this, they can sleep in tall trees at night to stay safe and get away from predators when they feel threatened. However, the jungle fowl does not need to fly for any other reason. Jungle fowl nest on the ground and forage for food on the ground, so long flights are unnecessary.
As selective breeding developed the many chicken breeds we have now, the chickens ability to fly was altered. Chicken breeds genetically closest to their jungle fowl ancestors will be the best flyers. Chicken breeds further removed from their jungle roots will be less capable of flying.
Domestication and selective breeding diminished the chickens need for flight as a way of survival. Heavy chicken breeds cant get enough lift to support their body weight in flight since their flight muscles are not strong enough, and their wings are not large enough to catch sufficient air. Silkies and other chickens with feathers that feel like wool can’t fly because their feathers don’t have the barbules and hooks that make a smooth feather vane for catching air.
Our chickens can now live and feel safe without being able to fly thanks to predator-proof coops, protective enclosures, and low roosts.
Can Chickens Fly? Yes, But Not Like Other Birds
Yes, chickens can fly. However, their flight is not the same as that of songbirds or raptors. Chickens do not need the ability to fly to survive. They do not hunt for prey from the air or need to build nests in trees. Chickens are ground nesters and foragers. These lifestyle features enabled chickens to survive without developing strong flying abilities.
The design of a chickens wings is for short bursts of speed. They do not need to fly far, glide, or hover when flying. Not only are chickens wings structured for short bursts of flight, but their muscles arent developed enough to sustain long flights.
However, some chickens can fly better than others. A chickens breed and age can affect its ability to fly. Young chickens still growing are not filled out and have yet to reach their adult weight. This allows them to fly better since their wings can catch enough air to lift their body weight. As a chicken matures and reaches its adult weight, it may not be able to fly as well due to a heavier body structure.
Large chicken breeds cannot fly as well as light or small chicken breeds. That is one reason large chickens, like Orpingtons and Cochins, are known to be friendly and calm. Light and small chicken breeds, like Anconas or Sebrights, are often known to be flighty and active because they have a better body structure for flying.
Chickens can fly vertically up better than sustaining a level, horizontal flight pattern. That means they can fly up to roosts 10 or 15 feet off the ground, but they may not be able to fly on a level plane for more than a foot or two. Some light chicken breeds can fly upwards of 30 feet high.
However, light chicken breeds can still achieve amazing flight records despite their limitations. The world record for a chickens flight distance is 301.5 feet. Light-breed chickens can reach a flight speed of about 10 miles per hour and can easily fly up and over large structures or fences. Heavy chicken breeds rarely make it more than a foot or two off the ground.
Chickens dont just fly for fun. They are perfectly content to spend their day on the ground. Chickens purposely fly up to roosts at night for safety. It is instinctual for them to find a safe roosting place at night that does not leave them exposed to predators at ground level.
Likewise, since chickens are prey animals, they also fly when they are startled, scared, or attacked. While some chickens will attempt to fly up, heavier birds will simply use their wings as a way to propel them faster as they run. Chickens may also fly if they are excited to get food or treats. If a chicken encounters a fence or another obstacle, it may try to fly over the obstacle if it cant find a way around it. The flight ability of the chicken will dictate what obstacles it can fly over. Heavy chickens wont be able to scale a 5-foot fence, but a light chicken could easily fly over a 10-foot tall chicken coop.
Do Chickens Fly? (How Far/High?)
FAQ
Can chickens fly over a 6 foot fence?
Yes, chickens can fly over a 6-foot fence if they are excited, scared, or of a breed that is known for flying.
What is the 90/10 rule for chickens?
The “90/10 rule” for chickens refers to a feeding guideline that recommends 90% of a chicken’s daily diet should be a complete feed, while the remaining 10% can be treats.
Can a chicken fly long distance?
No matter what breed they are, chickens can grow to be about 10 feet tall and only forty or fifty feet across. A modern chicken flew for 13 seconds and just over 300 feet, which was the farthest it was ever seen flying.
Can chickens find their way back home?
How high can chickens fly?
Nonetheless, how high chickens can fly depends on a few factors. Firstly, their breed, as some are known to be a lot heavier, lighter, or smaller than others. Secondly, it will depend on your chicken’s weight, if they are overweight or underweight for example.
Can chickens fly over a fence?
This means it’s unlikely that your chickens will actually fly over your fence, particularly if it’s a medium-to-tall height fence, from 4-8 feet. However, whether you’ve got yourself some normal laying hens, larger breeds, or bantam breeds, chickens are entirely capable of jumping or flying over low fences.
How fast can a chicken fly?
In terms of time the longest flight was only 13 seconds. While there is no record of the highest a chicken has ever flown, some breeds can easily fly up 30 feet or more to reach the top of a house or barn. They will fly at around 10mph.
How high can a bantam chicken fly?
This means bantam chickens can’t fly very high, but can comfortably reach heights of between 3-4 feet if they need to. So chickens like Sebright, Japanese bantam, Serema, and Silkie chickens can fly, but not high enough to scale most fences. How High Can Light Chickens Fly?
How long can a chicken fly off the ground?
Some breeds can barely clear a foot off the ground for a second or so. Others can fly for hundreds of feet. So if escaping chicken escapades are a concern for you, the breed you choose is important. There are also things you can do to discourage flight, which we’ll talk about in just a bit.
Can baby chickens fly?
Baby chickens, or chicks, can’t really fly. Their tiny wings grow flight feathers between 5-10 weeks old. Before then, they might hop and flutter awkwardly, like they’re testing training wheels on a bike, but no real flight. Do wild chickens fly? Yes, wild chickens can fly.