Ramps and Silkies

[ChooksinChoppers]

Not sure if I dreamed it or not as I have been poring over this site since we got our first batch of eggs and already have had several dreams/nightmares with me building a coop

...anyhow do silkies take to ramps ok? If not I am going to have to rig up an elevator!

Our final decision on which coop to build is going to be similar to motherHen's California coop https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=64832-chicken-coop

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

They tend to avoid ramps but can be trained, in my experience.

Don't do what I did and carry them up and down at first. That prolongs the agony.

They really can't see well.

I love my silkies!!!!

 

[ChooksinChoppers]

Quote:
So are they afraid of falling off? I could install a handrail

How about steps?

 

[paceysgl5]

We put ours out in the coop around 6 weeks of age, and started letting them in the run during the day when they were 7.5 weeks or so. All the other chickens would be outside and the 4 silkies would be inside. I spent maybe 2 days pushing the silkies onto the ramp (and nudging them down it...) until they would go in and out on their own. Well, except for 1 silkie who took all of 4 days of pushing/nudging to get the idea...LOL

All in all, they learned and don't have a problem with it now! I was so proud when I saw that last silkie outside unexpectedly!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

All 4 of mine use the ramp just fine. It is a section is rubber coated white closet shelving. Hoses off for cleaning and they walk up and down it without issue. I have a 1'x1'x1' box in the coop and the silkie roo hops on it then up on the roost with the large hens.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
So are they afraid of falling off? I could install a handrail

How about steps?

One person on BYC says that "silkies are special needs."
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3068583

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=341896&p=1
here's the one with the quote- post #9

You might enjoy these threads.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Mine use the ramp as well, but it takes a bit for them to figure it out when they are little. The big problem with silkies is that they really can't see! I have found that mine act totally different if I keep the feathers trimmed from around their eyes. If you don't plan on showing yours, that might be a way to help them with the ramp.

 

[chickencoop13]

my 4 use it fine. they went down the first day and spent 5 days in the run but i sprinkled some cracked corn on the ramp and they have been using it since

 

[Bird Collector]

Mine took a little while to get use to the ramps. I use half round molding and put them down on the ramp closer together and that seemed to make a difference for them. I think they are tender footed. They like round and soft on their feet.

 

[lamNervousNellie]

My silkie uses a ramp, but we got her when she was a little older and she may have already had experience with them, not sure. She actually likes to roost on the ramp! (Our ramp is more like a little ladder with chicken wire over it.)