We never got around to putting a ladder in and our girls do just fine flying up to their coop (we built a 2 level- chickens on top, ducks on bottom). We do have a “shelf” in front of the door so they have something to land on before walking in their door. They don’t have clipped wings though so...
I'm growing blue star creeper in the front yard as an alternative to grass lawns (I'm highly allergic to just about every grass). I'm glad I read this so I don't let the hens free range the front yard without covering the creeper (it's just in small patches right now).