do chickens need a ramp?

Date sort Score sort
Terrie Mac

Terrie Mac

In the Brooder
8 Years
May 17, 2011
90
3
41
I have standard chickens that are getting big. They don't have a ramp to the coop but get in by jumping onto a plank that's about half the distance, then jumping into the coop. They seem to be doing okay so far but will it get harder for them as they grow? Should we build a ramp? The coop door is about 4 feet off the ground.
 
I think going up is okay, but it's coming down that may eventually cause them problems. The heavier bird, the harder the landing. They're not the most graceful...
lol.png
 
I would have a ramp if its more than a foot and a half. Their tendons/muscles in there legs can get hurt in that high of a jump. For their sake I would be building it and installing it tonight!
 
So glad I asked-- thanks for the replies! I've noticed the ladies getting a little klutzy lately. We also have a small little dirt area I call "the chicken terrace" that's about 4 foot high off the run, a chair, and a couple of 2' pots. So basically they do a lot of jumping up and down off of things throughout the day.
 
My young poults have different ideas on how to get in and out of their coop, some fly in and out and some walk ever so carefully down and up the ramp all while watching the ground like they are on the empire state building lol. I am guessing when they get older they will use the ramp a bit more.
 
Mine would. I have a couple that can not fly very high, my 2 heaviest breeds(brahma&cochin). I use a ramp both sides of the run door leading to outside. It's working out well and it was easy to make.
 
Mine uses a ramp to go up on their roost which is 4 feet high. They also use the ramp when getting down but some would jump off when they reach halfway down the ramp.
 

Similar threads

T
Hen refusing to go down the ramp
2
Replies
13
Views
2K
rosemarythyme
rosemarythyme
A
    • Like
Do I need 2 coop?
2
Replies
13
Views
1K
Aqwifey
A
K
    • Like
Do I need a run?
2 3
Replies
22
Views
2K
khoehne
K
MightyChickenJF
Chicken coop/run 2024: The Planning
2
Replies
15
Views
3K
fuzzi
fuzzi
BiggDeal
    • Like
Coop Done chicks out What should I do before winter?
2
Replies
10
Views
1K
rosemarythyme
rosemarythyme

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom