2nd story chicken coop

[Benfrog]

We are limited on space and I would like to build a 15 x 21 storage building with our chicken coop on the second story. I am planning to build a ramp on the outside of the building that would allow the chickens to climb up to the second story. Any advice on how steep the ramp can be? Or am I just crazy for thinking this would work? Any advice is welcome. PS: we are also considering getting ducks, would this change any design ideas?

Ben

 

[TalkALittle]

Twice as long as it is high.

 

[eHuman]

Any advice on how steep the ramp can be?
Ben

Twice as long as it is high.

I agree with TalkALittle, a 30 degree (or less) incline will suffice. If the pop door is 10 foot above grade, you want to drop at a rate of 2 feet out for every one foot dropped, or a 20 foot ramp. Could be two 10 foot ramps with a platform in the middle.

 

[Benfrog]

Thank you for the responses. I was hoping for an answer like that so I can have one ramp running up one side of the building. Do you see any other potential issue with a second story coop with storage for garden tools and small farm equipment below? I think I will put in a poop chute so I can just shovel litter into a hole in floor that could go directly into my dump trailer.

 

[aart]

Chickens could fly part way up to bottom of ramp.
Don't think ducks would want to go high, I think they like to be on the ground.....could ask in the duck forum.

 

[abqferreira]

My first coop was like that, the first floor was the run, enclosed with plastic netting. There was a ramp in the middle that went up to the coop, where they had roosts and laying boxes. The ramp had a pull cord so they could be closed in at night. I called in my chicken palace, it was amazing!