Roosting perches too high for chicks??

[stellaginger]

Hello. I am new to raising chickens. Our family has 5 five week old chicks and we are trying to put the finishing touches on our coop and run. We bought our coop from a "real farm" and have transported it to our urban back yard. It is 4X 6 ft and 7ft high. It has a walk in door in the front, nesting boxes in the back, 2 side chicken doors and 3 roosting bars inside on one side. The bars are about one metre off the ground with no ramps. Do they need ramps? At what point can they actually use this coop to sleep in at night?

 

[cavemanrich]

If it is warm enough where you are at, they can use it now. (good to include your general location for better advice)
Make a temporary/removable roost low to the ground. When you see the chickens using the one there, just remove temp.
WISHING YOU BEST,,, and

 

[aart]

Got pics?
I use a concrete block, 16" high, as a 'step' to roosts.
Tho 5 week olds are more likely to want to sleep piled on the floor.

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[stellaginger]

Thanks! I'm considering getting a blanket ladder to attach to the roosts to help them get up there now.

 

[sirrobyn0]

If it were me personally I would avoid a ladder to the roosts. If you need a lower roost for the young ones, either add a lower roost (it can be temporary), or a step as aart described. I also agree with aart at their age they are more likely to want to sleep piled on the floor, but they definitely will want to start roosting soon. The reason I wouldn't want a latter to the roosts is that they can also be used by rodents to get on the roosts. It might not be an issue right now, but if you stick with chickens long enough you're liable to have rodents trouble somewhere along the line. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

 

[aart]

blanket ladder

What the heck is a "blanket ladder"?

 

[sirrobyn0]

What the heck is a "blanket ladder"?

Stellaginger, can correct me if I'm wrong, but I have only heard the term blanket ladder in reference to a blanket ladder. What it usually is, is a short ladder that is in a bedroom for holding extra blankets, usually either rolled or folded into the ladder so you can just grab one and pull it off when you need one. I assume the OP used that term to describe the type of ladder. Basic and wood, that's my take anyway.

 

[stellaginger]

Stellaginger, can correct me if I'm wrong, but I have only heard the term blanket ladder in reference to a blanket ladder. What it usually is, is a short ladder that is in a bedroom for holding extra blankets, usually either rolled or folded into the ladder so you can just grab one and pull it off when you need one. I assume the OP used that term to describe the type of ladder. Basic and wood, that's my take anyway.

Yes that's right. Pretty much a short wooden ladder meant for keeping blankets hung on. I was going to say a one-sided ladder...but the ones that don't bend are one sided lol

Good point. How high do you think a rat can jump? Probably could get up to a first roost at a foot high. I'm thinking now I might go with the block idea.

 

[stellaginger]

If it is warm enough where you are at, they can use it now. (good to include your general location for better advice)
Make a temporary/removable roost low to the ground. When you see the chickens using the one there, just remove temp.
WISHING YOU BEST,,, and

Thanks good point. I have done that. I'm in Vancouver, BC

 

[aart]

How high do you think a rat can jump?

Pretty high and far, and what they can't jump they can climb.
If you have rats in your coop you've way more to worry about than access to the roosts.