Chicken nuggets

[Dlopez]

Hello, we are new to this site and are looking for any recommendations anyone may be able to provide. We recently purchased a couple of chicks and built a sizable coop for them to roost in. We didn't know if we should just let them run around our fenced in back yard or not. So we locked them in their coop until they were more mature. Well sadly enough one of the chicks died. But the remainder is doing very well. We have plenty of water and food for him, ( we think its a he and not a she). And a comfortable roost. We decided he was mature enough to wander the yard on his own so we let him out in the morning and he has the whole day outside of his roost. The only problem is that when he should be roosting in his coop, he isn't. He prefers to somehow jump up on the garden hose that is attached to the house and roost there instead. I have to pbysically pick him up and place him in his coop. He has a lead that is easy for him to climb. He does climb it and descends durring the day if he is encouraged to do so. I just dont know what to do to make him roost in his coop. Any suggestions???

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC. I’d suggest posting pics / dimensions of your coop and posting on this forum for the best advice - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance.9/

It may be that there is a design issue that can be altered to help make your little fella feel happier about roosting in the coop.

Good luck
Pork Pie

 

[igorsMistress]

Maybe he needs a few friends. Chickens are flock animals. Is the ramp slippery? Even with slats on our ramp we painted it and sprinkled with sand to give traction. Could be the ramp is too steep? If you post pics maybe we can help

 

[drumstick diva]

Sometimes they are afraid of falling off the ramp, so if it has short sides they feel safer.

 

[Dlopez]

Maybe he needs a few friends. Chickens are flock animals. Is the ramp slippery? Even with slats on our ramp we painted it and sprinkled with sand to give traction. Could be the ramp is too steep? If you post pics maybe we .

 

[Dlopez]

This is what the coop looks like and we do plan on getting more chicks.

 

[Dlopez]

Sometimes they are afraid of falling off the ramp, so if it has short sides they feel safer.

Thank you For your advice this is what the coop looks.

 

[igorsMistress]

Yay for more chicks!

That ramp may be a little steep based on the angle in your first pic. A ladder might work better or make it a bit longer so it's less steep?
We painted our ramp, sprinkled on sand then let it dry and put on another coat of paint. Might help too.

 

[Dlopez]

Maybe he needs a few friends. Chickens are flock animals. Is the ramp slippery? Even with slats on our ramp we painted it and sprinkled with sand to give traction. Could be the ramp is too steep? If you post pics maybe we can help

Yay for more chicks!

That ramp may be a little steep based on the angle in your first pic. A ladder might work better or make it a bit longer so it's less steep?
We painted our ramp, sprinkled on sand then let it dry and put on another coat of paint. Might help too.

Thank you. I sill have to give that a try

 

[Alexander2000]