• its_prolly_fine@sh.itjust.works
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    11 hours ago

    No, they can actually fly. Chickens bred and kept for meat have trouble flying, but that is because they are too heavy for that very reason. Or they were kept in an enclosure that they could not exercise their wings. They don’t have the muscles to get off the ground. Parrots kept in a too small cage without being let out have the same problem. They could fly if they were allowed to build up those muscles.

      • SolarMonkey@slrpnk.net
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        6 hours ago

        I’ve got heritage breeds, olive eggers and buff Orpington, and they fly just fine. The Orpington have really fluffy pants on, but both breeds are pretty lean (not really meat birds, more cold-hardy egg layers) and have no issues taking flight. They even fly across the yard for snack time, or when they spot a hawk/eagle.

        They aren’t likely to be flying any significant distance, since they prefer running and staying home where they’ve got a good deal, but they could if they had to.