How Necessary is a Ramp? Any Alternatives?

[FiddleChics]

My coop's about 18" off the ground, and I used some large, wide, flat rocks for them to hop up on. Since 7 weeks old, they've had no trouble hopping up into the small coop door, or hopping up to get out into the enclosed back run. I like the way it looks natural, and the rocks are easy to sweep clean.

 

[ariri30]

I have a ramp for my chickens to go up. There’s so many good ideas here. It took me a few frustrating nights to teach them how to go up the ramp at night to go to sleep

 

[Chickengene]

I have , just one block, works well. But,now have ducks, can ducks just hop from one stepping stone to another?? First time withducks!! Trying to figure out the new duck additions.

You may need the ramp for ducks. I don't have any ducks but my neighbor's Drake really has it bad for my RIR hen. He can catch her by flying but if she hopes up on just about anything he gives up. She will climb the two or three steps on the back porch and he never follows her up.

 

[RAnst4038]

Chickens can fly, raccoons can't. And raptors can't break this double pane window. They've tried!

 

[Chickengene]

My Brahma gets into a nest box about two feet of the ground... we put two slats of wood across tge front add a perch. It makes it easier for them to have a landing place before going into the box.

How big are those slats? I was planning to lower my nests, but it would be much easier to add that landing pad. I think. Can you post a photo of it?

 

[EricasRun]

I use a couple of tree stumps. Sometimes, they skip the stumps all together, but most of them like to hop in and out.

 

[SueT]

Chickens can fly, raccoons can't.

Raccoons can't fly, but they can very easily climb up to that height. As long as the door is locked tho, all is well.
I like your platform....

 

[ladyearth]

we did both the ramp for one it doesn't sag because made it out of thicker wood and its not real tall.
currently that first ch house not in use. My fav idea and did was the tree stumps and old cut off telephone poles. work really nice. (Got idea from I believe this forum). But they hop up to one of the higher poles(sides) going in.. But when they exit in the morning thy descend the "steps" one by one. Thru their tunnel(from big run) into their(converse boat trailer with attached nice deluxe coop) Rv coop(on outside of run). Proud of Hubby job.
Oh and one of your ladies could end up older and or sore knees or injured foot etc.
just chiming in y'all.

 

[Mtnboomer]

I have , just one block, works well. But,now have ducks, can ducks just hop from one stepping stone to another?? First time withducks!! Trying to figure out the new duck additions.

My ducks need a ramp because the door to their box is the size of a dog door. They can't or at at least dont hop like chickens do without extending their wings. Their box is only about 1 foot off the ground for drainage, air circulation (box is wood) and it gives them a shady "safe" place to go in mid day. Their ramp is short (about 36") and has raised tread. It took some practice but they navigate it fine now (silly ducks kept trying to go up from the sides).
My opinion,from limited experience, is that a ramp will always be easier for them and is required if box is more than 4"-6" off ground. I have 2 pekings, a cayuga, and a kaki cambell so it may be different for other ducks physically and mentally

 

[Tillie43]

We put a 2x6 along the edge of the pop door with shelf brackets. My girls hop up and rest in the sun. Our first coop was higher off the ground then this coop but we did the same thing and they had no problem using it.