Building a ramp.

[bruceha2000]

Too steep is definitely a problem, I wouldn't go any steeper than @aart's upper ramp. And littler birds need cleats closer together than do older birds though they will flap/fly to get up a ramp.

 

[aart]

I wouldn't go any steeper than @aart's upper ramp.

I keep meaning to add more cleats since I slapped that together fast last spring,
but they are using it OK(even the chicks) and the wood is nice and smooth so no splinters.

 

[bruceha2000]

Splinters might make it easier to get a grip

The first ramp I made went out the barn window to the ground, 12' 2x8. Kinda steep and the cleats were too far apart. Clearly slipping down wasn't fun but they could stop at each cleat. The would fly off when they got about halfway down. Going up was worse as their nails couldn't grip anything and they slipped and slid trying to climb.

 

[jthornton]

Mine don't slip and also don't know what a cleat is as they have never seen one. They think ramps all have little grooves about an inch apart to grip with their nails.

JT

 

[bruceha2000]

Yep grooves will do it, anything to get a grip.

 

[ewerbos]

Ok, photos of my ramp... They don't seem to be using it at all, but the entrance is functional. They just fly up and down when they want to get in and out. Our heavy Brahma prefers to beg humans to be put up and down if we're around, though, and seems not at all interested in the ramp (though she can do the flying if she feels like it). Cleats are spaced at 3" (3/8" cleats) and at 9" (5/8" cleats).

 

[jthornton]

Ok, photos of my ramp... They don't seem to be using it at all, but the entrance is functional. They just fly up and down when they want to get in and out. Our heavy Brahma prefers to beg humans to be put up and down if we're around, though, and seems not at all interested in the ramp (though she can do the flying if she feels like it). Cleats are spaced at 3" (3/8" cleats) and at 9" (5/8" cleats).View attachment 1407813 View attachment 1407814

How wide is the ramp?

JT

 

[ewerbos]

It's a 1x8, so I think about 7 1/4".

 

[jthornton]

It's a 1x8, so I think about 7 1/4".

You might try raising up the bottom a couple more blocks high, then give them time to get used to using it. I built a step by the bird bath and it took my bunch a couple of weeks before they figured it was easier to drink standing on the step.

JT

 

[aart]

Ok, photos of my ramp... They don't seem to be using it at all, but the entrance is functional. They just fly up and down when they want to get in and out. Our heavy Brahma prefers to beg humans to be put up and down if we're around, though, and seems not at all interested in the ramp (though she can do the flying if she feels like it). Cleats are spaced at 3" (3/8" cleats) and at 9" (5/8" cleats).View attachment 1407813 View attachment 1407814

Nice...kind of steep tho, throw a few more blocks under the low end.
All that stuff on the platform is not needed(I don't think).