July 24, 2026, 11:17 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Many people are convinced that chickens can’t fly at all. In fact, that’s only partially true. Some breeds do take off–albeit differently than other birds. PETBOOK editor and biologist Saskia Schneider explains where the myth comes from and what chickens are really capable of.
How Birds Fly
When flying, birds move their wings not just up and down, but in wave-like motions. This creates a forward force that lifts the bird into the air. A streamlined body shape and low body weight support the animals’ ability to fly. Additionally, if you look at the wingspan of most birds, it is relatively large compared to their body.
With chickens, it’s a bit different. Compared to their body, these animals have relatively short wings. Their bodies are bulkier than those of other birds. Therefore, they don’t have the same flying power. However, they are still capable of flying, though not very high and only for short distances.
Also interesting: Keeping Chickens in the Garden – Tips for Beginners
Why Chickens Fly Poorly
Looking around the bird world, there are many species that fly poorly or not at all. The most famous example is the flightless birds like the ostrich. But quail or capercaillie also belong to this group. They all have in common that they find their food in the ground and have therefore specialized in a life on the ground over the course of evolution.
It’s similar with chickens. Our modern domestic chickens all descend from the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus). This wild ancestor still lives in South and Southeast Asia today. However, not in open areas, but hidden at the edges of forests and in undergrowth. 1
How high can birds actually fly?
Why These Cockroaches Are Now Flying Into Homes
These Chickens Can Fly Particularly Well
Red junglefowl primarily feed on seeds and insects. They find their food mainly on the ground, where they move safely and quickly. Chickens can run up to 9 miles per hour. They fly only in emergencies, to escape predators or to reach a high sleeping place. In doing so, red junglefowl can indeed rise a few meters into the air and cover a few hundred meters.2
Even though flying is not a strength of chickens, there are some breeds that are better at it compared to others. These include mainly wild chicken breeds with a slender body and a weight of around 2.2 pounds, such as the Minorca chicken, the Leghorn chicken, the Araucana chicken, or the Hamburg chicken.3
Why Many Chickens No Longer Fly
Many chicken breeds have been bred for mass. This is also the main reason why many chickens today fly poorly or hardly at all. Animals weighing 6.6 pounds or more are so bulky that they barely lift off when flapping their wings and tend to jump or hop instead.4
Another reason many chickens don’t fly is because their wings are clipped. Especially the small and light breeds are otherwise quite capable of fluttering over the fence and thus becoming prey for foxes or martens. The method is not painful for the animals, but some animal rights activists still view it critically because clipping can cause stress for the animals and–if done incorrectly–even lead to injuries.