afraid of the ramp

[bdaniel808]

just built a out building just for the chics they are bout 4-5 weeks doing well in the house but wont use the ramp was told to start moving food and water on them and they will find it, or do i just leave food and water above and one day they will go up and down just dont want to starve them all day while im at work. also with the temp outside they have a pretty good start on their feathers if the temp gets down to around 50 at night are they fine was also told that when they start to get adult feather no more need for the heat light?

 

[Judy]

They will likely need the heat lamp til they are fully feathered in your climate (helps if you include your state in your profile.) Chickens are often afraid of anything new; they will get used to the ramp in time. Since you are gone for work, you might consider food and water in both places til they move freely back and forth.

Good luck.

 

[debilorrah]

Leave the ramp there - they will eventually get it. It took mine a while to figure it out too.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I think that food and water in both places is a good idea. It will keep them healthier, until they learn. If the ramp is steep and slick, add something to it that will give them some grip.

It's pretty easy to just teach them about ramps. It's like teaching puppies to go up and down stairs. Most puppies are intimidated by a flight of stairs, but can take one just fine. For chickens, I usually place my hand on the ramp, showing them that the ramp is safe to touch. I may tap my fingernail on it a couple of times, too.

If you want to teach them to go up, place them on the ramp at the top of the ramp. Then they only need to take a couple of steps to go up and in. The next time, you can place them a little farther down on the ramp and let them go up. If you want to teach them to go down, place them towards the bottom of the ramp and let them go.

It usually only takes a couple of times and you often only need one to get the hang if it. Then the others usually follow.

You can also sprinkle a little scratch on the ramp during the day, if you want to encourage them to investigate the ramp on their own.

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

When ours were afraid of the ramp, I scattered treats on it and sat one of the chickens right in the middle of the ramp. When the others saw her eating the treats, they started slowly going down the ramp, too. Good luck!