Do I Need a Ladder? (New to Raising Chickens)

[thelordsblessing2017]

Hello,

I'm still fairly new to raising chickens. So, this past weekend, the chickens have gone out into their coop and run. They are 7 going on 8 weeks old; (4 Buff Orpingtons and 4 Easter Eggers). It is still hot in NW Florida, and they seem to be doing great. I had to put them in the coop the first evening, but by the 2nd evening, I went to check on them, and they were already in the coop..yeah!!!. I have an automatic door, since I figured this would be a bit easier for me

My question is, the nesting boxes seem to be quite high; do I need to put a ladder in there? I've attached a couple of pictures of the coop and their run. (This are not my chickens that are in the Producer's Pride picture, just wanted to show how high the nesting boxes are from the floor of the coop). My chickens are the ones in the chicken run, by the automatic door.

Thank you in advance

 

[LoveMyPeepers]

They don't need one, but putting one in there is probably easier for them. I would say attach a ledge across the front of the nesting boxes and attach a ladder from there.

 

[nuthatched]

No, they can fly.
I would recommend that you add more ventilation to that coop, though.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Well, they can fly, but it means flying up from the ground into a relatively small (probably 12"x12") opening. Bonk.

Another option is to add a perch pole about 4-6" in front of the boxes, maybe 3-4" lower, and have a couple of sturdy upside-down buckets for them to use to hop up onto the perch. Then they can work their way into whichever box has been deigned to be the ONLY acceptable box for laying on that day.

This time of year many of us have big 5-10 gal buckets that are empty and available. This takes up less space than a ramp or ladder and is one less thing to trip over when you're in the coop.

 

[thelordsblessing2017]

They don't need one, but putting one in there is probably easier for them. I would say attach a ledge across the front of the nesting boxes and attach a ladder from there.

Oh okay. Yes there is already a ledge there for the nesting boxes, so I'll make a ladder and attach it to the ledge.

Thank you foe your reply.

 

[thelordsblessing2017]

No, they can fly.
I would recommend that you add more ventilation to that coop, though.

I have a dual solar exhaust fan that I will be attaching to the back of the coop. No one be able to see it since that side is facing the trees. Also I open the windows during the day as well. I've been in there at 92 degrees and it quite nice. I must say not hot at all. I also will be attaching hard wire to the half door on the side so that I will be able to have that open as well.
This coop was pricey but there are alot of options so I can see why the price was quite high but it is also predator proof which was our main reason for purchasing it.

 

[thelordsblessing2017]

Well, they can fly, but it means flying up from the ground into a relatively small (probably 12"x12") opening. Bonk.

Another option is to add a perch pole about 4-6" in front of the boxes, maybe 3-4" lower, and have a couple of sturdy upside-down buckets for them to use to hop up onto the perch. Then they can work their way into whichever box has been deigned to be the ONLY acceptable box for laying on that day.

This time of year many of us have big 5-10 gal buckets that are empty and available. This takes up less space than a ramp or ladder and is one less thing to trip over when you're in the coop.

Oh that's a good idea I know i have time since I read that they won't start laying until 20 weeks. They are only going on 8 weeks old

 

[nuthatched]

I have a dual solar exhaust fan that I will be attaching to the back of the coop. No one be able to see it since that side is facing the trees. Also I open the windows during the day as well. I've been in there at 92 degrees and it quite nice. I must say not hot at all. I also will be attaching hard wire to the half door on the side so that I will be able to have that open as well.
This coop was pricey but there are alot of options so I can see why the price was quite high but it is also predator proof which was our main reason for purchasing it.

If that's why you bought it, you sadly overpaid, those coops are not predator proof, the nest box doors can be popped open by raccoons. make sure you replace the hardware with locks and give it another coat of paint to slow down the warping.

 

[Ted Brown]

An alternative to buckets is sections of a tree trunk.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

An alternative to buckets is sections of a tree trunk.

Far more attractive, too!