introducing young chicks to the loft ladder of chicken tractor-Florida Gulf coast.

[radar5]

How to entice young chicks to climb the ladder to second level in new chicken tractor home..any advice? I've already tried luring them up by sprinkeling 'chow' on the ramp and they just don't get it. Of course this is only there 2nd day in the new coup but I'd like to get them up by dark of their own volition...SOME CLUES...please!

 

[Aeropennchick]

I think you should move this to the chicken behaviors section of the forum, you will probably get more responses!

that being said...I taught my chickens to go up a ramp by repeatedly shooing the friendliest one up and down it, until she was doing it on her own. Then the other ones figured it out from her.

 

[radar5]

recently built a two story chicken tractor (original design).The bottom level is grass and the ladder to the loft is gradual slope to sleeping area..However it was my mistake to think that chicks would naturally assend to the loft just 'because it's bedtime'..so I sprinkled some food on the ladder but they didn't take the hint. Like, oh look, treats! Let's go up the ladder...ANY clues how to resolve this situation. Even though the bottom level is finely screened I don't believe this is healthy for young chicks to sleep on the ground when there is a lovely straw filled loft with roosting bars.. Any one with experience PLEASE tell me some ideas. Thanks.