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

[thelordsblessing2017]

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.

Well it must be a very strong raccoon because I can barely open the boxes. I put them on too tight but I also have clips on them that lock, they are drill on the inside so in order for me to open them i have to go inside and unlock it first. I will see about the warping. We've had alot of rain in my area and it been out in the rain since February, no warning. But we did put clear coat on. But we will see. I haven't seen any raccoons in my yard, I have 3 acres. I also have 4 beagles and a mastiff. So far they've scared away the rabbits and deer but I have yet to see any raccoons. But will keep an eye out.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

An alternative to buckets is sections of a tree trunk.

Probably better looking than my cinder blocks, too! They hop up on the blocks then stretch their necks to peer into the nests to see if they are occupied.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Probably better looking than my cinder blocks, too! They hop up on the blocks then stretch their necks to peer into the nests to see if they are occupied.

Cinder blocks are another good option, especially if steps are needed outside as they don't get slippery like wooden steps or a ramp would when wet from rain.

 

[thelordsblessing2017]

Probably better looking than my cinder blocks, too! They hop up on the blocks then stretch their necks to peer into the nests to see if they are occupied.

Aww. That's cute

 

[Kiki]

Well it must be a very strong raccoon because I can barely open the boxes. I put them on too tight but I also have clips on them that lock, they are drill on the inside so in order for me to open them i have to go inside and unlock it first. I will see about the warping. We've had alot of rain in my area and it been out in the rain since February, no warning. But we did put clear coat on. But we will see. I haven't seen any raccoons in my yard, I have 3 acres. I also have 4 beagles and a mastiff. So far they've scared away the rabbits and deer but I have yet to see any raccoons. But will keep an eye out.

English or bullmastiff?
I need a bullmastiff again.

Welcome to BYC!

 

[perkolator]

Why would they need a booster/stool/ladder for the nest boxes, if the roost bars are another foot higher?

A chicken that size can jump/fly 4-5ft easily, so my suggestion is add nothing inside. If that's a pic of the inside of this coop, adding more obstructions in such a small footprint landing zone would probably not be practical.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Why would they need a booster/stool/ladder for the nest boxes, if the roost bars are another foot higher?

A chicken that size can jump/fly 4-5ft easily, so my suggestion is add nothing inside. If that's a pic of the inside of this coop, adding more obstructions in such a small footprint landing zone would probably not be practical.

I see what you're saying, but jumping to a wide-open roost bar three feet off the ground is simpler than jumping to a 12"x12" (if that) opening 2' up, potentially at the same time that another hen is trying to beat you to it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It's up to you. Some chickens like a ramp, and also a nice ledge along the front of the nests is useful. We had a ladder at one point but it in our case it interfered with access to the nests and especially the eggs that got laid under the nests and roosts so ... it went away. They still have a ledge along the front of the nests though.

 

[Ted Brown]

While I agree with the space consideration raised by @perkolator given current setup I would add at least one vertical step (log or cinder block or...).

I have hens that fly up and those that prefer my log sections.

 

[Bawkbok]

This time of year many of us have big 5-10 gal buckets that are empty and available.

I'm thinking a typical "homer" (THD bucket) can easily topple over as they are light weight especially when flying down.
We use logs and cinder blocks. The blocks are not attractive, but definitely effective. One hen likes to stand on it as the concrete is cool.