Ladder to roosting bar. Need help.

[smchick]

I am new to chickens and need help with the ladder to the roosting bar. The first picture is the layout so far and the second picture is where i thought the ladder would go but it looks like this is too steep. I put the wood there so you can see kinda what it woyld look like. What should I do?

 

[Sally PB]

The roost should be above the nest boxes, and the highest thing that the chickens can perch on. That said, it doesn't have to be very high. The ladder shouldn't be any steeper than 45°, and less steep would be better. Some cleats on the surface will help them get up it.

The roost in my coop is about 30" off the floor. The chickens can get up to it easily. And, just as important, they can hop down without running into anything.

 

[StinkyAcres]

The ramp can be an "L" shape with a landing halfway up. However, I doubt they would use the ramp much. As @Sally PB said, the roost doesn't need to be that high. I would lower it since there isn't much space for them to jump/fly down to.

 

[Sally PB]

I would lower it since there isn't much room for the to jump/fly down to.

However high to roost is, figure at least that much room for them to hop/fly down, and more would be safer.

I have a poop board under the roost, and most of my chickens will hop down onto that and them hop down to the floor.

I highly recommend a poop board, with some Sweet PDZ on it. The PDZ neutralizes the ammonia smell from the poop, and dries it out so that it is easy to scoop/scrape up. Chickens poop a lot at night. I scoop the poop off the board every morning. My coop does not smell.

 

[smchick]

The ramp can be an "L" shape with a landing halfway up. However, I doubt they would use the ramp much. As @Sally PB said, the roost doesn't need to be that high. I would lower it since there isn't much space for them to jump/fly down to.

I’m not sure I can lower it. If I make a ramp like this would this work? I know my drawing is not the best. But I would add a pole for the ramp to attach to.

 

[smchick]

However high to roost is, figure at least that much room for them to hop/fly down, and more would be safer.

I have a poop board under the roost, and most of my chickens will hop down onto that and them hop down to the floor.

I highly recommend a poop board, with some Sweet PDZ on it. The PDZ neutralizes the ammonia smell from the poop, and dries it out so that it is easy to scoop/scrape up. Chickens poop a lot at night. I scoop the poop off the board every morning. My coop does not smell.

Should I make a platform half way for them to jump onto so they can then hop to the floor?

 

[Ted Brown]

I do not use a ramp, switched to tree trunk sections. Works very well and takes less floor space.

My drop board is 30" off a floor with deep bedding over. So far no foot/leg injuries.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I would probably go with something like this. You can attach the lower ramp to the landing with hinges so you can lift it up when you clean.