Coop ramps

[Cherhill]

Hello,

Will quail use a ramp to get in/out of a coop? Door would be probably 2 feet off the ground and ramp would go to a 8X12 aviary.

I keep reading that they won't use a ramp. but then I see pictures of people with the store bought chicken coops, that have a ramp...

If they typically won't use a ramp then I can always use the aviary as their summer home and a pen in the coop as their winter home. But it would be nice to have it all in one.

Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[DK newbie]

Some people make it work, some don't. In general it seems that it works if the ramp is not too steep (it tends to be quite steep in the coops you can buy, but you can modify it by putting something under the end to make it less steep) and the ramp provides enough traction for the birds to feel safe when walking on it. Also it seems to help if you keep the birds in the coop for the first few days, then open the door to the run while leaving their food in the coop. Mind you, I've never tried, all the above is knowledge obtained on here.

 

[preciouseureka]

I have a ramp and it took them about ten seconds to figure it out....no problem. The trick is to not use a store bought ramp. My guy built it after observing our birds habits and methods of moving. The ramp is not steep, has little footholds every few inches and has side panels so they feel secure. Go for it!

 

[JaeG]

They'll use stairs happily enough if that's an option.

 

[Cherhill]

I have a ramp and it took them about ten seconds to figure it out....no problem. The trick is to not use a store bought ramp. My guy built it after observing our birds habits and methods of moving. The ramp is not steep, has little footholds every few inches and has side panels so they feel secure. Go for it!

Thank you. I don't suppose you could show me a picture of it, if you happen to get a moment? I think I have an idea but sometimes a picture helps.

 

[EastTex]

They'll use stairs happily enough if that's an option.

I didn't know they'd use stairs! Now I wanna go try!

 

[dianneS]

Mine use a ramp just fine! I raised them as chicks in the coop and when they were big enough I opened the door and gave them access to the run below. It's a narrow and steep ramp too, but I put non-skid tape on the ramp. They stumbled around and fell off the sides at first but now they're ramp pros! I keep their feed and water in the coop so they have to go up the ramp to eat. Of course they still sleep outside on the ground at night. They won't go inside at night like chickens.