question on "training" my girls?!

[WoodlandWoman]

For pullets that have never learned what a ramp is or how to use it, I place them near the top of the ramp to go in, but far enough down that they have to walk several steps on the ramp to get in. If I place them too far down on the ramp, they often won't try to go in, they'll just hop off. If I place them too far up the ramp, they just hop inside, not learning to use the ramp. Once they've walked a few steps on the ramp a couple of times, they normally stop being afraid of it.

This is the same method I use when teaching puppies to go up and down stairs. I place them so they only have to go up or down a couple of stairs at first. They are more motivated when the goal very near and less overwhelmed when it's only a couple of stairs, instead of an entire flight of stairs.

 

[creative.hortic]

Thankyou very much to all who replied!! i was never good at patience, but these girls will hopefully train me too!!

 

[barbieszoo]

I have this problem with one of two little silkie hens I just got. One figured it out the second day, but the other one, 4 days later, has never attempted to go up or down the ramp. If she's down, she stays down, if she's up, she stays up. It's a two-story rabbit hutch with a little run attached, so although I can reach in the top story and help her down, I can't really help her back up. So far they don't really seem interested in BOSS or raisins either one, so those won't help lure her up and down. She does love grapes, I may need to cut them in half and stick them along the ramp.....am hoping watching the other girl go up and down would help her figure it out.

 

[abhaya]

Bribe them up the ramp with treats. Nothing gets to a bird brain like food.