LADDER AND PERCH DESIGN QUESTIONS

[chuckzoo]

I HAVE A 'LOFT' STYLE COOP THAT SIT 23" OVER THE RUN AND NEED TO MAKE THE LADDER FOR MY 2 BARRED ROCK CHICKS NOW 5 WEEKS OLD.
1. WHAT ANGLE, IE HOW LONG SHOULD THE LADDER BE? I WAS THINKING OF 36 ".

2. HOW WIDE?

3. HOW FAR APART SHOULD THE RUNGS BE.

I AM PLANNING TO USE PLYWOOD AND SCREW ON 2X2" FOR THE RUNGS.

PERCH

I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2X2", WOULD A 4X2 BE BETTER? DO THEY PREFER TO WRAP THEIR TOES AROUND THE PERCH OR SIT FLAT?

THANKS!

 

[jenjscott]

2x2 is pretty big, all they need is some thing to hang their toes on, but anything is better than nothing. I had one withoiut rungs and they just walked and flapped to get up. It was the sliding board down they didn`t appreciate.

 

[Tala]

Mine are young, but they always attempt to fly up and sometimes down their ladder. I used 1x1's for the rungs because they were leftover from another project. Anything to prevent them from sliding down.

 

[chuckzoo]

Thanks for the advice. I am rethinking my design. Do you think I could go with a 'open concept ladder' similar to a regular ladder or would they tend to slip through the spaces between the rungs. My run is not very big so I would like to take up as little visual space as possible.

 

[valentinebaby]

My coop is raised off the ground as well and my ladder down is at approximately a 45 degree angle - 1x1's spaced about 6" apart - seems to work very well for my girls. I'm sure you need a solid surface under the slats. I'd take a pic of mine, but it's raining!

Gail

 

[CityChook]

I don't think a ladder would work.

I also used 1x1 for the rungs on my ramp because I had them left over. At first I didn't have any rungs and the girls would slide down the ramp on their booties. Needless to say, they didin't appreciate that much.

Rungs should be 6 inches or so apart. It's not a science.

Depending on the size of your door, could you put some boulders or concrete blocks for steps instead of a ramp? That might take up less space.

 

[JReedy72]

I thought my ramp was too steep, and I think it was for a week or two, but my girls figured it out. I used a piece of wood, about 4' x 10" and had it go from the bottom of my coop which is about 34" off the ground. The rungs were really thin - not 2x2. Maybe 1" by 1/2" - I got it at Lowe's in the trim section. I would have put the rungs closer if I had thought about the angle more, but again, they figured it out, and now that they are bigger, they have no problems. I saw one of them walk up the ramp last night like it was no big deal.

Here's a pic...

Now I have put on the run, and will be adding those pics tonight.

Jason

 

[chuckzoo]

Thanks for the ideas!
I tried to upload a picture of my coop but I don't know where it went! It said it uploaded sucessfully. Can anyone tell me how to locate it and get it into my post please?
Jenny

 

[JReedy72]

Go to "uploads" at the top of the screen, and then click on "my uploads" on the bottom right of the screen...

Jason

 

[chuckzoo]

OK Thanks! Now how do I get them into my message? I tried copy and paste but it will not paste.