teaching chickens to use their ramp, tricks?

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ScottyTerrier

ScottyTerrier

In the Brooder
Sep 21, 2015
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I finally got my chickens in their run/coop. They are 9 weeks old and most of the
Are silkies, 14 birds total. This is their second day in and I am having trouble getting them to climb their ramp. They don't seem to understand it at all. Last night I put them up in their coop by "walking them up" and brought them down again this morning. Didn't seem to help.

It is going to get pretty cold soon and I would like them to go In their coop before it gets too cold, if it was spring or summer I wouldn't mind leaving them in their run all day. Any suggestions on getting them to go up that ramp? Thanks!!
 
Last edited:
Hi,
I found that putting a treat at the top helps. Even a treat every foot or so can help. If they still refuse. Check to make sure it isn't to steep. Also, I have slats every 5" or so, just so they have something to grip and prevent them from sliding backwards. Good luck
 
I tried it with bread but they seemed uninterested in the crumbs. Tomorrow I'm going to TS and see if thy have meal worms. I hear they love those. Hope that will do the trick!
 
ScottyTerrier said:
I finally got my chickens in their run/coop. They are 9 weeks old and most of the
Are silkies, 14 birds total. This is their second day in and I am having trouble getting them to climb their ramp. They don't seem to understand it at all. Last night I put them up in their coop by "walking them up" and brought them down again this morning. Didn't seem to help.

It is going to get pretty cold soon and I would like them to go In their coop before it gets too cold, if it was spring or summer I wouldn't mind leaving them in their run all day. Any suggestions on getting them to go up that ramp? Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Just put them in their coop. They'll figger it out. Could someone help me to teach my chickens to play Bethoven's 5th on their toy piano?
 
Last edited:
Caleb999 said:
Hi,
Also, I have slats every 5" or so, just so they have something to grip and prevent them from sliding backwards.
Click to expand...

Another option is to put steps in, so the birds have some flat footing. There was a nice picture on here somewhere with a bunch of thick logs arranged cut side up / down.

We had a problem putting our birds to bed. Either they wouldn't go up, or they'd reach the landing and stay there unless I stuck my head in the coop to entice them (yes, I'm flattered that you want to stay outside with me, but get on the roost already!). One day we were a bit late getting out, and they got themselves off to bed and have been doing so every night since. Well, that was easy.

Do you know if your birds were roosting before you got them? If not, no biggie, they can learn, but at the moment it's something completely new to them. You might need to herd them a bit more. Scratching at the roosting bar seems to make them more interested in it, especially if it's getting quite dark.

Treats might be a better option for the day... If you work on getting them up the ramp when there's no time limit, you'll be more relaxed about them being able to do it as it's getting darker. Don't overdo it though, you don't want them to figure out that you give them goodies when they don't go straight in the coop.
 
If they are not climbing the ramp with great treats on them, be sure they are not too steep or slippery. You can buy the slip proof stuff with adhesive backs on a roll, easy to add.

If they can go up the ramp but just not going in to roost, place a 40-60 watt light in the coop and they will come in at dark - worked for me the first evening I tried it. Used the light to bait them up only a couple of nights and after that removed it.
 
ScottyTerrier said:
I finally got my chickens in their run/coop. They are 9 weeks old and most of the
Are silkies, 14 birds total. This is their second day in and I am having trouble getting them to climb their ramp. They don't seem to understand it at all. Last night I put them up in their coop by "walking them up" and brought them down again this morning. Didn't seem to help.

It is going to get pretty cold soon and I would like them to go In their coop before it gets too cold, if it was spring or summer I wouldn't mind leaving them in their run all day. Any suggestions on getting them to go up that ramp? Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Post a pic of your ramp.
 
700

Picture of said ramp.

No my chickens have never roosted. In fact they have been In a been in a plastic box since they were born 9 weeks ago. When they're in their coop they just sit on the ground.

I like the idea of the skateboard grip tape stuff, I will have to give that a try. Today I am going to TS for some worms and pop by Walmart for some skateboard tape :cool:
 
I think it's too steep and cleats too far apart.

Grip tape might help .....instead of more and smaller cleats.

But put something under the low end of it to easily reduce steepness, I use a concrete block set tall, not sure how high silkies can jump.
 

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