How steep of an exit ramp and how high of a roost?

[ZaneyMama]

How steep should the ramp leading out into the run be? Do they walk up and down it or fly?

Also, how high of a roost can 8-week-olds get to? Can I paint the roost, or would that be too slippery? It's a 2x4 with the 4 inch side on the top.

Thanks!

 

[Chicken0Boy]

I need to know the same q!

 

[paddock36]

What types of chickens are you going to have. I would put some cross beams on the side facing up for them to grip on. However if you are going to have any Silkies they don't roost. I could not even get them to go into a coop that was a foot off the ground. They slept underneath it instead.

 

[ZaneyMama]

I have 8 girls - described in my signature. No silkies or bantams. Just full standard-sized hens.

What do you mean by "cross beams"?

Thanks!

 

[ozark hen]

Right now I have (in the run with a steep ramp into a brooder room) three large hens and four cochins and six silkies and they all use the ramp to enter. Oh, there is also a six week buff orp chook with them. Yes, they all go in at night and they all use the steep ramp.

 

[henni penni]

I used tobacco sticks for my roosts. I put them about 10 inches about apart on 2 X 4's. As for my ramp out the poop door it just a prefference. Is there really a wrong way to do a ramp? I also used board across the ramp for them to grab with their feet.

 

[Zahboo]

If the pop door isn't real high you could use a platform and they can jump up and down.

 

[Chicken0Boy]

I will be getting 2 silkie hens, so do I need to give them 1 box on the ground to lay there eggs in, or could I build them a ram to the nesting boxes? Which ever is easiest to the silkies I will try to do.

What about a Duccle hen? Should I do the same thing with the roosts and nest boxes?


Thanks for the help!!

 

[paddock36]

Quote:
Sort of like having steps on a latter, just attach some small pieces of wood across the board about 6 inches apart to make the board less slippery.

 

[brendapa]

I am in the process of teaching my 6 week olds to use a ramp to access the loft I built for them.
They are playing on it and geting used to it. One went all the way up to explore but quickly came down when he realized he was alone.
They are silkies so it is carpeted, for now...

Brenda