Can chickens fly?

Whether or not a domestic chicken can fly generally depends of the weight of the particular bird, according to the University of Illinois Extension. Heavier chickens do not have the ability to fly, while lighter birds can often fly a short distance.

Chickens that have the ability to fly usually do so only to escape from a perceived threat, according to experts at the University of Birmingham. A bird that is attempting to escape from a predator, such as a fox or raccoon, for example, is likely to fly into a nearby tree or over a fence to make its way to safety.