Building a ramp.

[ewerbos]

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).

The "platform" actually doubles as the chicken door. Here's a photo of it closed, for reference:

The bottom square thing isn't super strong, and could benefit from a diagonal brace below, but it's ok for now and I don't want to install one until we (finally, haha) get the coop painted.

 

[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

Is platform actually the door folded down? Quite a gap between that and the ramp, the gap may also be the problem as well as it's new to me so beware until someone else tries it out.

JT

 

[jreardon1918]

That door is very clever.

 

[jthornton]

The "platform" actually doubles as the chicken door. Here's a photo of it closed, for reference: View attachment 1407973
The bottom square thing isn't super strong, and could benefit from a diagonal brace below, but it's ok for now and I don't want to install one until we (finally, haha) get the coop painted.

If the ramp is wobbly they might not like that, can you extend the frame out so the ramp comes right up to the doors edge?

JT

 

[aart]

The "platform" actually doubles as the chicken door. Here's a photo of it closed, for reference: View attachment 1407973
The bottom square thing isn't super strong, and could benefit from a diagonal brace below, but it's ok for now and I don't want to install one until we (finally, haha) get the coop painted.

That's pretty cool!
Yes the thing that support the door/platform needs to be supported with some angles something like this, one on both sides

 

[ewerbos]

That's pretty cool!
Yes the thing that support the door/platform needs to be supported with some angles something like this, one on both sides
View attachment 1408020

Yup, that's what I had in mind. I don't want to do it until we've fixed up the surface. It's not super wobbly right now, just not ideal long term.

If the ramp is wobbly they might not like that, can you extend the frame out so the ramp comes right up to the doors edge?

JT

Nah, the hinges on the frame are in the way (I could mount the thing on the very edges, but then it wouldn't be in contact with the door...). I thought about putting some hooks for the ramp on the side of the door itself, but I think the are ok with the gap part at least... I put lazy Brahma halfway up the ramp with scratch sprinkled on it, and she walked the rest of the way herself then hopped on the platform. It's just getting on the ramp in the first place that doesn't seem to occur to them.

 

[bruceha2000]

It's just getting on the ramp in the first place that doesn't seem to occur to them.

I think that might be because the ramp doesn't rise to the edge of the door. They might not want to jump down (short distance that it is) on to the angled ramp and cleats. Maybe if you remake the support platform wider so the top of the ramp could about meet the edge of the door? And do you NEED the triangle pieces on the door? The plywood on the outside should be more than enough to keep the frame stable. And ... if you really think it needs bracing both inside and out, I'd replace the triangle pieces with a solid piece of plywood. Those chickens are going to poop on the open door and having it all "trapped" in the door will make it really hard to clean.

 

[aart]

I'd replace the triangle pieces with a solid piece of plywood.

Good idea!

Those chickens are going to poop on the open door and having it all "trapped" in the door will make it really hard to clean.

My first thought too.

 

[drmoorejr]

Hi,

New to forum. I have a question that is somewhat related to this thread. What is the maximum height a floor of a coop should be off the ground? Right now the new coop I built for some in coming Brahma's is 3' 8" off the ground. Is this too high?

Thanks,
David

 

[aart]

Hi,

New to forum. I have a question that is somewhat related to this thread. What is the maximum height a floor of a coop should be off the ground? Right now the new coop I built for some in coming Brahma's is 3' 8" off the ground. Is this too high?

Thanks,
David

Welcome to BYC!
As long as they can get in and out, I don't see a problem with it, could even be an advantage....but...it's hard to say without knowing the rest of the situation.

Would be good to start a new thread here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance.9/create-thread
With more info, your location, your chicken keeping goals, and some pics of proposed coop and site.