Ramps going into the coop...

[NotTheMomma]

what is their purpose other than giving the chicks a walkway?

Should it be a certain degree? Is a long sloping ramp just as good as a short steep incline? If choosing a long sloping ramp. does it still need the wood "steps" or whatever the pieces that are on there are called?

I/m sure it sounds like a stupid question but I'm wondering...

Thanks!!

 

[aidenbaby]

I'm putting "steps" on mine so that in winter when it is icy or rainy they'll still be able to get up and down without slipping.

 

[kelliepulido]

I have 3 dffernt ramps out of my coops and the angles are different on all of them.The steeper one everybody would slide down or not have enough grip to get up,so I nailed a shingle on it now they seem happier,the other one I put a brick under the end of it to raise it up about 8inches thus the incline is not so steep they hoop up to it and walk out well.None of mine have rungs on them.

 

[NotTheMomma]

Thanks! I was worried that it had to do with predator proofing the coop and we had done it wrong! Guess we're ok!

 

[TripleH]

Just a warning for newbies about ramps. We were so excited about letting the
girls out a month ago we set the ramp up on wood ledge of coop
with concrete at bottom to hold off the ground. They used it immediately.
However because of my stupidity we didnt permanently attach it yet.
One of my 3 week old chicks was under it when it went down, with the
6 wk olds still using it. I am still sick over it, as it should not have
happened in the first place. So even if your'e just trying the ramp'
out to make sure they'll use it please secure it.

 

[Opa]

I have one coop that I have used a short piece of treated 2x10 on which I stapled 2x3 wire for traction. The door is only about 12 inches above the ground and the ramp is 30" long. On another coop the bottom of the door is about 3' above the ground and before I could install a ramp the birds demonstrated that they didn't need one.

 

[gaduke]

My coop door is about a foot off the ground and when I put my 6 week old pullets in they just hopped on in so I didnt install one.