How to teach chickens to use a ramp to the coop

[ChickMama18]

Hello fellow Backyard Chicken friends!

I am a newbie when it comes to raising chickens and I am seeking advice on how to teach my girls to climb the ramp to their coop. Chasing them around the backyard to put them in each night or when I have to leave for the day is becoming quiet the task!!

They are all doing really well coming down the ramp in the morning but going up is something they won't even attempt. I have tried a few things, putting food in my hand and luring them up the ramp ( I got one of the girls up all the way to the top and then she jumped off without going inside), putting food on each step which they ignored, leaving the food and water inside the coop to tempt them.. Again no luck! I have even tried setting them on the ramp but they just jump off and go back to playing in the yard.

I'm open to all and any suggestions of how to teach them to do this!!

Thank you very much in advance!!

 

[SIMZ]

How old are they? It may have more to do with just not understanding to go into the coop at dusk rather than using the ramp. One thing I've done with young chickens is to put a small light in the coop that I turn on late afternoon/dusk so they want to go into the light coop. Another is to keep them in a smaller fenced area around the coop until they figure it out - then you don't have as far to chase.

I usually have to physically put each one in the coop at late afternoon or dusk for around a week until they "get" it. Good luck!

 

[ChickMama18]

Thank you SIMZ!! They are about ten weeks old now. I will try the light idea next and see if that helps! They have only been out in the main coop for about a week now so that makes me feel better that they are still just learning!

 

[SIMZ]

Yes - I'd say at that age and being in a new coop that they just don't understand. You'll be THRILLED when they figure it out and you don't have to put them away anymore. If chickens had baby books you'd be writing that one down...... LOL