How To Improve This Ladder?

[PTFowl]

What would you do to make this ladder more usable? It's for a flock of fifteen 5-week and 6-week old standards and bantams. They have no problem getting up and using the swing (pictured to the left of the ladder) but they don't like seem to like the ladder rungs. The ladder has only been up for 4 days and the rungs are alternating 1.5-inch and 2-inch PVC pipe spaced about 8 inches apart. The swing, made of a very wide driftwood log was only up for a day or two before they were up and using it. The PVC seems too slippery. I've since put the ladder nearly flat on the ground so they can get used to climbing on it with no incline but still, not much action. (Their roosting poles in the coop, which they haven't started using yet, are 2x4's so not all their roosting spots are curved).

 

[LiLRedCV]

Maybe try using trimmed tree branches of various sizes?

 

[jeepguy982001]

i'm far from an expert but maybe and some boards on the center so it seems more walking up then jumping. Or maybe try to rough up the pvc with sandpaper or something.

 

[PTFowl]

Trimmed tree branches in between the PVC rungs or instead of?

 

[PTFowl]

Quote:
That's what I was thinking about--maybe bolt a board to the underside and rough up the rungs with either sandpaper or some kind of anti-skid material. I was trying to avoid using a board for cleaning purposes but maybe it's necessary.

 

[Ole rooster]

I no expert either but I've found that spread to be to much even for grown hens. Mine are spaced at 7 inches which I thought that would be fine. All of mine use the ladder to go in at night. Very few have a stride with a step that wide. I'm in the process of putting a rung in between the ones on the ladder now. And the PVC to my thinking is just to slick. I used Poplar limbs considering that's what I had for the main beam. My roost poles are Poplar also.

 

[Melissa Rose]

Do they use the swing?!!! What a cute addition to their coop!!!! I was looking for some neat things to put in their new run

 

[SteveBaz]

I would place a board under it and tack them together so they have a real ramp.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I agree with SteveBaz. The swing is absolutely adorable.

 

[fireguy56]

Hi, I have two swings in our run area, part of the "chicken jungle jim" I built. Several people here on BYC have seen my utube video of my "swinging chickens" and loved the idea. Right now we have 5 girls that do indeed use the swings often. Especially in the morning and evening. Crazy to watch them move their heads back and forth to get it moving. So, if ya looking for something fun for you and your chickens, put in a swing. You won't be sorry. To see my chicken jungle jim, visit my page.
Erik