using the chicken board

[scoremaster]

Just out of curiosity how has everyone i guess to say trained the flock to use the chicken board to get back into the coop,
The last 2 days i have opened the door and they come right out and down the board but in the evening they just pile up under the coop so i have to play gator and catch them to put the in for the night .

My coop is 2 ft to the floor so i used a 4 ft board raised on one end with a few rocks as steps and some plywood strips for foot holds .

Chicks are 5 weeks old ,

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Just out of curiosity how has everyone i guess to say trained the flock to use the chicken board to get back into the coop,
The last 2 days i have opened the door and they come right out and down the board but in the evening they just pile up under the coop so i have to play gator and catch them to put the in for the night .

My coop is 2 ft to the floor so i used a 4 ft board raised on one end with a few rocks as steps and some plywood strips for foot holds .

Chicks are 5 weeks old ,

Thanks,
Scott

This is a common issue encountered with young birds. It may be the ramp issue, but it also can be an issue of the coop gets dark (and scary) first as the sun starts to set - so the young birds will stay outside because it is still light there. Are they using the ramp during the day to go in/out of the coop at all? What angle does the ramp sit at? Is the end of the ramp near the perimeter of the run? Maybe a photo of your setup would help us see where changes might help you/your birds.
The good news is, it usually only takes a few repeats of training to help them figure out to "coop up" at dusk.

 

[scoremaster]

Thanks ole grey for the reply
Id say the ramp is at about a 30 degree angle plenty wide at about 10 inches and approx.
8 ft from the perimeter fence .
And yes the last few mornings i just open the pop door its 12 x 12 and the just mosey on out no problems and some wven get up oj it through the day guess they just need somemore training time .

Thanks,
Again
Scott