Ladder Advice

Date sort Score sort
lovemy6hens

lovemy6hens

Songster
6 Years
Nov 4, 2013
913
150
191
Central Texas
Our coop setup worked well until a couple of weeks ago when our dear Lucy decided to roost backward. This would be fine but Lucy claims the spot at the top of the ladder, leaving unpleasant gifts for me to clean up every morning. We haven't built a permanent ladder yet, so we tried moving it and she still claims the spot at the top of the ladder. We considered leaving a gap at the top of the ladder, but that seems like a broken leg waiting to happen. I've tried turning her around, but that hasn't worked either.

I've included a photo of part of the interior of our coop, complete with evidence of Lucy's sweet dreams. The waterer in the photo appears to be right under Lucy's spot, but is actually out of the way. The coop is 8x8 with an attached 8x10 run. We have 7 hens.

700
 
Ladder is unecessary. My roosts range from 18" to 24" above the floor. My birds just hop on and off.
 
How about raising the roost a bit, so that it's a bit higher than the top of the ladder. That should make the roost more appealing. Also, is your roost wide enough? Perhaps she has problems balancing on it.
 
Removing the ladder is a great suggestion! Their roost is 36" off the ground. Would that make a difference? They are all standard breeds.
 
Last edited:
Try it at the present height. Any case, from your picture, it seems modifying the roost placement is an easy task.

It also seems that a poop deck might be an upgrade option. Have min 18" below the deck would allow comfortable headroom for the chickens.
 
Last edited:
Raising the roost is also a great idea! Would the angle of the ladder need to be changed? I've included photos of the roosting board & ladder below.

She seems to be holding on okay. All of the girls push for Lucy's spot, but she's stubborn and won't move. It may be easier to defend her place backward. We believe she may be deaf, so perhaps facing backward makes it easier to see them in the dark. I really have no idea.

700


700
 
Last edited:
They have a 20" wide poop area behind the roost with 3.5" of pine shavings in it. The roost has 3 ft of headroom, so we'll definitely try it without the ladder tonight. I'm so glad the interior is easy to modify!
 
I'd just put in a roost in the middle of the poop deck, about 6-8 inches above it. I haven't tried poop shelves, but that's the way they usually seem to be done. With that roost being the highest point, I think you could even leave the ladder for those who wish to use it.
 
That combines each of the suggestions! Thank you very much.

I'll post back & let everyone know which option worked best for them. In the meantime, more suggestions are certainly welcome!
 

Similar threads

paradisepentacoop
Roost and Nesting Box placement
Replies
4
Views
990
paradisepentacoop
paradisepentacoop
The cheek coop
    • Like
    • Love
The Cheek Coop is finished!
Replies
4
Views
711
Penpal
P
A
    • Like
    • Love
Our First flock and first coop build
2
Replies
18
Views
1K
Amped
A
SuperC
    • Like
Building my run; what’s the best Sand Method?
Replies
2
Views
1K
SuperC
SuperC
ShotgunDog
    • Like
    • Love
Vicki's Chickies
Replies
4
Views
968
ShotgunDog
ShotgunDog

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom