Afraid of ramp

[Jhs51684]

my 10 week old bantams are afraid to descend down their coop ramp. The pictures are taken while my coop is in the garage but I've had them in the yard and they still won't go down into the grass. From other forums I've read, my ramp isn't too steep. Any advice on getting them to go down ? Thanks.

 

[ChickenMammX4]

Looks pretty steep, that could be the problem.

 

[bigbruce]

Yes too steep

 

[Jhs51684]

Thanks guys. Crap! Back to the drawing board

 

[mechanic57]

How far apart are the strips that they grip with their feet? They look too far apart but it's hard to tell for sure. I have full size birds and have ramp strips 3 inches and 4 inches apart with the ramps at about a 45° angle (2 different ramps). If they're too far apart they will step on the flat part and slide down. Mine were at 4 inches apart when the chickens were about 12 weeks old and it was a little too far for their stride so they flew up and down from the ground to the coop. They grew into that ramp but I made the second one with 3 inch space and they used it easier while they were small and now.

 

[Jhs51684]

I just now measured them at 9 inches apart. Too far I guess. Thanks so much for the advice. You've been incredibly helpful. I will try adding some ramp strips before the hassle of lowering the angle of the ramp.

 

[yellowchicks]

A simple fix would be to add more strips and prop up the end of the ramp on a crate to reduce the slope until the chickens master the ramp.

 

[Tomhusker]

I like to cover the ramp with chicken wire or scrap hardware cloth before adding the strips.

 

[jenn-]

With that steep of an angle (mine is also just shy of 45 degrees) and banties, you need way more strips. Try every 3 inches and see if it helps. Have they came down at all? My babies took a couple of days to venture out into the great outdoors. After you get more strips on, bribe them with mealworms placed on each step to get them out.

 

[aart]

A simple fix would be to add more strips and prop up the end of the ramp on a crate to reduce the slope until the chickens master the ramp.

THIS^^^^