How long does the longest recorded flight of a modern chicken last?

Many think of chickens as earthbound birds, but those new to backyard chicken keeping may be surprised to find a pullet has mysteriously escaped the pen or free rangers are found perched on high fences or in trees. One intrepid hen in my flock will even occasionally find its way onto the roof of the house to forage for insects in fallen leaves.

While there was never a time when chickens filled the skies, their ancestors were a bit more adept than current breeds. Domesticated for meat and egg production, modern chickens have developed a smaller wing-to-weight ratio, feet better suited to the ground than branches and beaks built for ground foraging. Still, when danger lurks or better foraging can be found on the other side of a fence, a determined chicken will take flight.

Depending on the breed, chickens will reach heights of about 10 feet and can span distances of just forty or fifty feet. The longest recorded flight of a modern chicken lasted 13 seconds for a distance of just over three hundred feet. It may not sound like much, but for those wrangling a flock of backyard chickens, fifty feet may be all the distance it takes to encounter unhappy neighbors, angry dogs or busy roads.