Have been lurking here for a month or two. Recently built my first coop and got my first chickens (Red Stars). It has been 24 hours now and they have not emerged from the coop. Is the ramp wrong? They perch and look out but never descend. They probably just need more time. Right?
Thanks,
RichBurn
Greetings from Kansas, RichBurn, and . Pleased you joined our flock. I concur - the ramp seems steep. I'd lengthen it to cut down the angle. Good luck to you!
Most young ones have trouble learning to go into the coop but come out at daybreak easily.
I agree that the slope on the ramp may be too steep and reducing the slope is the best thing to try. Add a block or something to lift the end and if that is too high for them to jump down, then add something below to help them get down.
You could try putting some feed on the ramp to see if it coaxs them out. It is awfully steep. Some birds do better if the ramp has sides to it, so they don't worry about falling off.