Eggs Hatching in the Coop, Is It TOO High?

[1234duck]

Is a coop too high of a place for chicks to hatch?? Do they just know how to walk down the ramp without falling? In a different hatch i found a dead chick laying on the ground by the ramp. (Wasn't sure if it fell.) and with that little house i was able to pick it up and sit it lower to the ground once i found the dead chick. }}}The coop now in question, Can't be lowered. (should be hatching any day) Thanks, ~Julie~

 

[Judy]

Many a hen has hatched chicks in a barn's hay loft. I won't tell you chicks never got injured jumping down, but I think they did fine as a rule, especially if the landing was soft with hay or similar material. I've had them hatch in nests 2' or 3' up. They just jump down after a day or two, then find another place to gather together to sleep, and the mama covers them wherever they are. They should be able to figure out the ramp pretty quickly with mama's help, though a little training or bribery might help.

 

[1234duck]

Well today or late last night they hatched. I had put a lot of hay on the ground under & around the ramp in case they fell. Glad i did b/c i seen a chick fall off the side on to the hay & it was just fine. ~Julie~