Chicken ramp/ladder questions

[DianeS]

I have questions about building a ramp that chickens will use to access their off-the-ground coop. (My chickens will be larger dual-purpose ones, if that matters. I don't have them yet, )

What is a good angle for the ramp? Is 45 degrees acceptable? Does it need to be lower? Could it be steeper?
How long can a ramp between a raised coop and the ground be? Is there a length the chickens will decide isn't worth the bother?
How wide should the ramp be?
What about the "rungs"? The floor of the ramp will be solid, do the rungs need to be a certain size, or certain distance apart?

Anything else I should know about the ramp part of the coop?

Thanks in advance!

 

[chuckzoo]

My two BR use their ramp, it's about at a 35-40 degree angle, 10 inches wide and the rungs are 1x2s placed about every 6 inches on center. I attached it to their coop using hinges underneath, this way I can lift it up while cleaning the coop but it is still very stable.

Hope this helps.

Jenny

 

[tri-5-ron]

I painted the inside of my old aluminum fishing boat once, and sprinkled sand over the wet paint. let it dry, and did it a second coat the same way. worked very well, no slipping even when wet with water, (or an occaisional spilled beer) LOL!

 

[Heathercp]

My Australorps are pretty good sized birds and this is what their ramp looks like. We made it out of left over t1-11 siding and 2"x4"s for structural support. It works great for my girls without any cleats at all. Some walk up the ramp. Some hop to the platform. Some hop up half way. It's always dry, but I don't think it'd be any different if it were wet. That siding is pretty rough. When I was asking questions about how far apart the cleats should be, someone suggested putting hardware cloth on the ramp instead of cleats. That seemed like a good idea and I was planning to do it, but the ladies got here first and liked the ramp as is.

 

[AtholCoop]

Quote:
The lower the angle the better, but I'll bet money you find they don't really use it all that much either way. They'll likely fly up and down more often than not if they're anything like my birds.

 

[myway57]

my RIR's just kinda jump up and go.... I took the steps out along time ago. they never use them.

 

[scooter147]

My pop door is about 30 inches off the ground and my ramp is at about 45 degrees. My hens usually go to the side of it and jump up to the top cleat closest to the pop door. When they come out they usually get about half way down and they just jump.

 

[RonB]

DianeS
I went out and measured just for you

My pop door is 43 " off the ground, 6" under that I have a piece of 3/4" plywood ( I call the deck or porch) it is 16" x28" that gives them a place to stand before going down the ramp. My ramp is a 6ft long 2x8 going from that to the ground. the rungs are 6"L x 3/4"W they are spaced 2" apart.
when My flock was young they would walk all the way up and all the way down the ramp. But now they will either fly up and down. or just use the ramp half way. just like the others on here have said.
Hope that helps

 

[DianeS]

Thank you! This is good info. I'll make the ramp a little longer so it's less than 45 degrees. My coop will be probably 3 feet off the ground and the chickens will have clipped wings (due to the low fence around the free range area), so they'll almost have to use it. So I'll make it easier than I was planning. Thanks!

 

[grayhenfarm]

For my ramp i use a soild piece of plywood with 1/2 round attached every 8 inches = or - . I paint all my wood really well so it is easy to clean, but this also makes it slippery. Safety first ~ I put grip tape on my ramps so they do not slip.