Chicken Ramp design decision...

[jenn-]

We are getting dangerously close to being ready to decide how to build the ramp. The coop is a converted play house that will have a door that is 5ft off the ground. The obvious direction to send it out only has 6ft of length (the entire run is 14'x4.5' but a little more than half of that is under the coop). If I take it to the ground the slope is about 40 degrees, but that will take up a hunk of the walk in area. Another option is to raise the bottom of the ramp off the ground about 2 ft. but allowing it to have a gentler slope. The third choice is to build a platform and then a slope over to the side and finally turn it so it can end under the coop. This sounds the most complicated, but takes up the least about of person sized coop area.

So which one would you choose. I am looking at getting chicks that are at least 6 weeks old when I finally get this thing finished. Which would they be able to handle best, the two foot jump that young, a steepish angle, or the long and twisty one?

 

[Hokum Coco]

. Another option is to raise the bottom of the ramp off the ground about 2 ft. but allowing it to have a gentler slope. I know an adult chicken can manage this no problem it may take a while to get them to use it the only down side.

 

[roseyred]

I would do the easiest solution for you short term because soon they'll be big enough to jump up in there. You could get a 2 ft stump or a couple 1ft, 3ft stumps and stack them zigzag up to the entrance. Mine hop ontop of the silkies coop all te time and it's like a 4 fr hop. While there small thio they'll need a ramp or lots of things to jump on to get high enough

 

[aart]

I built a 'porch' outside the pop door then ran the ramp off that onto a concrete block 16" high.
They usually jump onto the ramp where it's about 2' high then waddle on up.

 

[jenn-]

I built a 'porch' outside the pop door then ran the ramp off that onto a concrete block 16" high.
They usually jump onto the ramp where it's about 2' high then waddle on up.

How old were they when they started using this setup?

 

[aart]

Quote: First flock to use it were adults, but then I have about the same deal on my juvenile run and they started using it at 6 weeks,
I did add another 8" block as step to the 16" block tho.

 

[yellowchicks]

Option #2.
I used a plastic crate to prop up the ramp to lessen its slope. Once the chicks got older, the crate was removed, and they have no problem going up a steeper ramp.

 

[Manwilder]

What about this?

 

[aart]

What about this?

Is that cadd drawing?
Pop a dimension on the clearance from ramp to bottom of coop right by the door.......I don't think a chicken will fit.
That's the problem with bottom of coop pop doors, head room.

 

[jenn-]

Thank you all for the responses.

First flock to use it were adults, but then I have about the same deal on my juvenile run and they started using it at 6 weeks, I did add another 8" block as step to the 16" block tho.

This could work. I could easily place a smaller removable item in front of the base platform until they can easily make it up.

Option #2. I used a plastic crate to prop up the ramp to lessen its slope. Once the chicks got older, the crate was removed, and they have no problem going up a steeper ramp.

A plastic crate sounds like an easy fix.

What about this?

Thank you for taking the time to draw something out. My husband originally wanted to drop it out the floor (I think that is what the picture indicates) but a lot of people here seem to think it causes way too much of a mess in the run underneath.