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The Ramp ? ...

post #1 of 10
5/3/10 at 3:38pm
Thread Starter 

I have quite an extensive "ramp" system from my 3.5' high brooder house to the ground. I enclosed it with wire so they can't jump off the ramps and get hurt (chicks are 4 weeks old and are getting impossible to catch to take in/out of their brooder without great effort) barnie

In my eagerness to get it completed I forgot to install the "steps" that are seen on most ramps for grip...

So I racked my brain - first thought about gluing sticks on (or pencils) ... then I went to the dollar tree and found outdoor carpet pieces smile ... then I found the "anti-slip" shelving liner stuff ... so I got both...

I used the shelving liner, (figuring the carpet might get caught in their nails), I used a double layer and stapled it to the ramp - I did grab my white rock girl and used her as my guinea pig - and she climbed the ramp fine ...

Has anyone ever used anything else (besides the traditional "tread" ) for their ramps? ...

(this is what I used:
http://www.dollartree.com/assets/product_images/styles/alternate_large/903495.jpg

"People who count their chickens before they are hatched, act very wisely, because chickens run about so absurdly that it is impossible to count them accurately" Oscar Wilde
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"People who count their chickens before they are hatched, act very wisely, because chickens run about so absurdly that it is impossible to count them accurately" Oscar Wilde
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post #2 of 10
5/3/10 at 3:54pm

My ramp is wrapped in hardware cloth and works great - I would think that shelf liner would get 'grungy' really fast and not wash down easily.....

Maggie - -Dog Groomer and Agility instructor - admitted Croc-o-holic and espresso addict - -  an Aussie 'Tess' , Border Collie 'Roz' , Belgian Shepherd 'Colt' -  2 Siamese mutt cats Lily and SweetPea,  and 15 chickens - A BLRW roo and 3 BLRW hens, 1 GLW, 1 Black Astralorp, 1 Welsummer  - 1 Black Orp- 1 Blue Orp and 6 newly hatched chicks!
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Maggie - -Dog Groomer and Agility instructor - admitted Croc-o-holic and espresso addict - -  an Aussie 'Tess' , Border Collie 'Roz' , Belgian Shepherd 'Colt' -  2 Siamese mutt cats Lily and SweetPea,  and 15 chickens - A BLRW roo and 3 BLRW hens, 1 GLW, 1 Black Astralorp, 1 Welsummer  - 1 Black Orp- 1 Blue Orp and 6 newly hatched chicks!
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post #3 of 10
5/3/10 at 4:03pm
  • gryeyes
  • Platinum Poultry
  • Covered in Pet Hair & Feathers

I stapled hardware cloth to mine.

However, I do use that kind of shelf liner stuff for the brooder!!!

-- Linda (AKA: gryeyes)
I refuse to fight a battle of wits with an unarmed person.

Buncha Outdoor PET chickens, ducks, two Toulouse ganders, and four turkeys. Plus 2 wiener dogs, some bunnies and a rescue cat which owns me. Oh. And a house silkie....

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-- Linda (AKA: gryeyes)
I refuse to fight a battle of wits with an unarmed person.

Buncha Outdoor PET chickens, ducks, two Toulouse ganders, and four turkeys. Plus 2 wiener dogs, some bunnies and a rescue cat which owns me. Oh. And a house silkie....

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post #4 of 10
5/3/10 at 5:00pm

I used hardware cloth on mine also.

Marty

Permanent Hoop Coop Guide
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Marty

Permanent Hoop Coop Guide
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post #5 of 10
5/3/10 at 9:09pm
Thread Starter 

I never thought of using the hardware cloth -idunno

what size did you use ? did you pull it tight or keep it loose? (I'm only mildly afraid of them getting their little toes pinched - since this is SOLEY a "brooder sized" ramp ... they'll be moving next door in a couple more weeks.

If the liner doesn't work it's easy enough to change (and for $1 at least it's not a large investment)

"People who count their chickens before they are hatched, act very wisely, because chickens run about so absurdly that it is impossible to count them accurately" Oscar Wilde
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"People who count their chickens before they are hatched, act very wisely, because chickens run about so absurdly that it is impossible to count them accurately" Oscar Wilde
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post #6 of 10
5/3/10 at 10:12pm

I turn to freecycle for used cribs. Post up that you want one and why.

Likely someone with a crib that is no longer deemed safe will be glad to see it go to good use. The sides of the crib are useful as lattice in the garden, but I have one set aside to use as a ladder into the coop. I think it will work fl

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10 White Chanticlers being stalked by the ghost of some Mangy ex-Racoon
...........................1 Coop 15/16's built in and in position..........................
  Visit my Favorite Independant Gardening forum! http://forums.delphiforums.com/Sproutoff/
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post #7 of 10
5/4/10 at 4:53am

I used shingles.  They work great, even the 4 week old chicks get up and down with no problem.

Enjoying my awesome family and life....  www.oneacrelife.blogspot.com
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Enjoying my awesome family and life....  www.oneacrelife.blogspot.com
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post #8 of 10
3/31/12 at 10:41pm

hmmm, a hardware cloth ramp seem pretty good to me, thanks for the suggestion!

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post #9 of 10
4/1/12 at 6:41am

I used that heavy jute twine, almost rope size and wrapped it around the ramps.  The shelf liner cleans very well.  Wet it down leave it sit for a few minutes then hose it off.

 

 

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post #10 of 10
4/1/12 at 10:36am

 Ramp  wrapped in hardware cloth  works great.

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