Help with soon-to-hatch chicks

[tomiferris]

Hi, I'm a new member. Have found tons of great info on this site - love it!! We have 5 hens and a rooster. One of our hens is brooding - we're VERY excited! Our biggest concern is that she is in the coop which is 18 inches off the ground with a ramp. Should we be worried about the chicks being able to follow mom up and down the ramp? It's wood with a few slats crosswise for gripping - should we carpet it or do something else to make it easier for them? Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is our first time with a hen doing the work for us!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

You may have to help them in the first couple of nights after they venture out of the coop, but they should learn to use the ramp quickly. Or, they might be geniuses and surprise you. Just check for them when you close up to make sure everyone makes it in for bed.

 

[tomiferris]

You were absolutely right! 2 nights showing the chicks (with momma's encouragement from the top of the ramp) and they mastered it! They are definitely more clever than I imagined!