Ramp training in hot weather

[rehdancer]

Thanks to all who've written their experiences with ramp training. My chicken yard is pretty big and I have an elevated coop. Yesterday was their first day out. They had great fun outside and stayed in the shade, either under the coop or moved to the shady side, as it was near 90 and high humidity.
My issue is getting them back in at night when it's hotter in the coop than it is outside. I was watching them about 7 PM or so. It was getting cooler and I noticed some of them snuggling down in the grass under the coop, like they were settling in for the night. I figured it was time to get them inside based on their behavior even though it was quite light outside still. I had strawberry bits on the ramp, which they ignored. So DH and I had to catch 10 chickens in high heat and humidity and put them in the coop. Not a good activity for old folks !! DH said, "You need to ask your forum friends about this before we try it again !!"
Here's what I'm thinking I'll try, based on what others have written:
Remove outside food about an hour (or so?) before I need them in.
Put a light inside so it's lighter inside than outside. Turn off once they're all in.
Block off ramp sides, maybe encourage them out from under the coop and close that off so the ramp looks like a good option (with treats). Open in daytime.
Anything else? Sorry to be so wordy, and TIA !!

 

[Thyme4Chickens]

Hi Neighbor up north!

Do you have pics of the coop? How's the ventilation?

I've heard lots of folks have success with the light in the coop method you mentioned. Also, I'd go straight for a high-value treat - for my own chickens, I think they would do anything for scrambled eggs! Or meal worms!

 

[aart]

Remove outside food about an hour (or so?) before I need them in.
Put a light inside so it's lighter inside than outside. Turn off once they're all in.

Yep, both of these should help.
Hod old are these birds?
Did you move them from inside and air conditioned house to the coop and run?

Do you have pics of the coop? How's the ventilation?

Ditto Dat^^^

The heat and humidity has been a bear...no end in sight either.

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place. Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[rehdancer]

Thank you for all the tips - my birds are 8 weeks old and fully feathered. For ventilation, we have 2 screened openings nearly at the top of the east and west walls, and vents below the nest boxes on the east wall. Cleanout doors on the west wall which at present are screened and doors are propped open except at night. No openings on the north side (someday it'll be cold) and the door on the south side, presently without a door but with baby gates stacked on top of each other to prevent escape. Problem has been NO breeze. DH thought it would be good to put a fan in the doorway so we've been doing that when not raining. And I've kept them in for the past 2 days, since I'm thinking maybe they didn't bond with the new place yet. They've been in the coop for nearly a week after having been in the basement, which yes, is cooler, but when I first put them out it wasn't nearly so hot or humid. Also been giving them watermelon, which they like., and strawberry tops. I think I'll try the ice too. Their yard is roughly 40'x50'. Guess I'd better find some electrolytes too.
And the almanac said this summer would be wetter and cooler than normal too... Hmmm