We are new to the chicken world and have 6 seven week old hens. We have built them an amazing coop with an attached and fully enclosed run. However, the coop is raised to allow for more run space underneath, and we can't get the chickens to climb the ramp by themselves to go into the coop at night. We are having to put them in there each night. The chicks don't seem to mind being in the coop. They are just figuring out how to perch. We still have the red heating bulb in there, that comes on with a timer at night, hoping to lure them into their warm home. Any suggestions??
Set them on the bottom of the ramp, one by one, and gently herd them up with your hand. After a few days someone will "get it" and the rest generally follow the leader.
I'm having trouble with my silkies going up the ramp One has it all figured out then the other two just mill around it lol My laying pullets figured it out but I have a broom to "herd" them in. Some days it goes smooth and other days I have them coming back out faster than they went in LOL Melia
You could herd them in early (I used to do it 1 hr before sunset) just to make sure they know how to use the ramp. If you get home too late or something you can walk them up in the dark, but mine learned faster in the light. They'll catch on soon.
I had the same problem, but they finally mastered it. It probably took a week or two. Good luck! Per someone's suggestion from here, I made a spaghetti dinner for my girls and strung it on the ladder. A few took the bait.
