Ramp training 101?

[Shezadandy]

For the first time ever, I had 4 chicks that "got it" with one lesson of going up the ramp. It takes 2 of us, one on the ramp side and one inside the coop so we can fill in their mental map.

I'd carried them outside, put them in a good spot, and after a couple days of being carried back in, we did the ramp lesson, and from that day on they marched themselves right back in at the appointed time.

The really funny part was it took them well over a week to figure out how to follow the other 100 or so chickens outside … usually it's the opposite problem. Glad we're not alone!

 

[SurferchickinSB]

My 10 chicks are now 8 weeks old. I moved them from their brooder out into an elevate coop last week. I left them in there for a few days with food and water so they could get used to their new home. About day 3 in the coop, I started opening the pop door during the day. Going on day 3 now with the pop door open, the chicks will walk up the inside ramp, look outside, but then turn around and just go back into the coop.

To encourage them to use the ramps, yesterday I put some chick feed on the inside ramp, the landing on the coop wall, and some more chick feed on the ramp going down to the grass. The elevation is about 3 feet and the ramp is about 5 feet, so the ramp is not very steep. The best reaction I got yesterday was one chick came out and ate some of the chick feed on the top rung and the next one down. So she got down about 1 1/2 steps. Then she turned back and went into the coop.

I thought the best method would be to let the chicks figure out how to use the ramp on their own, and once they figured out how to get down, they would probably understand how to get back up. But they seem content to stay in the coop.

Although I think I made them a pretty nice coop, I would like to see the chicks get out of the coop and go down into chicken run with fresh grass. Will the chicks figure it out on their own or do they need to be trained? I want to continue to feed and water the chickens in the coop, but would be willing to try options if needed to get them down into the run. How long would a person give the chicks to figure it out themselves, or is there a better way to teach them to use the ramp? Thanks.

They will do it when they are good and ready. Then they will tear your place apart!

 

[aart]

Happy to report that the chicks figured it out themselves this evening, day 3 with the open pop door during the day, and they spent the last 3 hours of daylight outside in the fenced in area before I had to put them back in the coop. I had to catch each chick and put her on the ramp facing the coop. But they all went in and stayed in.

So tomorrow I hope they will come out on their own again and stay out. If it's nice, I'll put their feed and some water in the run, and not in the coop. There seemed to a consensus that was a good idea. Thanks.

Yayy!!

Might taken another week for them to go in by themselves.
Battery operated puck light in coop can really help lure them in,
on at dusk off after dark when you lock up.

I never put feed or water in run, keeps the wild birds and rodents away.
But then my run is not weather proof, and mostly 2x4 mesh.

Oh forgot 'Training Ramp' pic

 

[gtaus]

I never put feed or water in run, keeps the wild birds and rodents away. But then my run is not weather proof, and mostly 2x4 mesh.

Glad I read this before I switched up my feeding. I too have the 2X4 mesh and the chicken run is not weather proof. I have basically a fenced in area with bird netting on top to stop eagles/hawks/owls. The fence should stop any wandering dogs from the neighbors, and the other predators usually are not seen during the day. But I too was concerned about maybe attracting rodents with feed outside.

 

[aart]

But I too was concerned about maybe attracting rodents with feed outside.

I worry more about wild birds during the day...those rascals can be a real nuisance,
taking feed and bringing lice and mites. I do toss scratch in the run daily but only enough that the chooks clean it all up with a half an hour and wild birds learn pretty quick there's nothing for them in there.

 

[Mrs. K]

I am of the complete opposite - I keep the feed and water outside. I don't like it in the coop drawing rodents, or just spilling and making a mess. I do see wild birds in the run upon occasion. But not enough to matter, my birds, (Knock on wood) have never gotten parasites, and I let them out to free range, so would get exposure there too.

However, I limit the daily feed. I do not feed 24/7, and I do have a limited weather protection for two of my three feed stations.

MK

 

[Shadrach]

Happy to report that the chicks figured it out themselves this evening, day 3 with the open pop door during the day, and they spent the last 3 hours of daylight outside in the fenced in area before I had to put them back in the coop. I had to catch each chick and put her on the ramp facing the coop. But they all went in and stayed in.

So tomorrow I hope they will come out on their own again and stay out. If it's nice, I'll put their feed and some water in the run, and not in the coop. There seemed to a consensus that was a good idea. Thanks.

You've had a result. Admittedly a bit different most of my coops have ramps and all the chicks are hatched by mums. Usually the chicks are out of the coops by around day three and free ranging, getting them back in at dusk is another matter. The top mums normally manage the first night. Some others it can take two, or three evenings with me supervising to get all the chicks up the ramps.

 

[Oakhammockchick]

For our newest feathered kids, we always have water both inside and out. If someone is out of the coop and cannot get back inside, they need to have access to water. Food is inside only as that is the area that is more secure.

 

[Beccazon]

My coop is ground level with a 4" step to get in. I originally placed mine in the run and just waited. A few went in to explore. It is a garden shed repurposed so the door is a wide open double door. The ramp inside and the ladder are at a pretty good angle but they eventually loved getting up high. Though mine is predator secure, you might try taking them down to the run during the day and letting them figure out that to get TO the food they need to traverse the ramp. Place the food in view of the run at the top of the ramp. Maybe treats more than half way up. I think you have the right idea letting them do the thinking...I think reversing the direction they go is the key. By evening, they will WANT their shelter and WILL climb to get there.

 

[Beccazon]

I am of the complete opposite - I keep the feed and water outside. I don't like it in the coop drawing rodents, or just spilling and making a mess. I do see wild birds in the run upon occasion. But not enough to matter, my birds, (Knock on wood) have never gotten parasites, and I let them out to free range, so would get exposure there too.

However, I limit the daily feed. I do not feed 24/7, and I do have a limited weather protection for two of my three feed stations.

MK

I feed outside as well and only during the day. Less cleaning and poop and bugs action inside. I do give access to water at night in the coop but it comes out in the morning. At night their food is brought in to my mudroom to refill and set out in the morning. My run is pretty predator safe but I worry the food is begging for it to be tested.