Silkie chickens won't use the ramp....

[chicmom]

Hello All-

I have three silkies. Only one of them will use the ramp to get in and out of the hen house. The other two hens just can't seem to figure it out.

I will wait to see if they'll go in at night on their own, and they never do. I find them sitting on the ground in the chicken run, huddled together, so then I put them inside.

In the mornings, same thing. If I don't take them out before I go to work, when I come home eight hours later, they're still inside.

The ramp seems kind of narrow and steep, so I put a log under the end to sort of lessen the incline. The silkie that uses the ramp normally doesn't have a problem with the log being there. So I'm not sure what to do about this situation.

I've asked my hubby to build them an elevator for them and he refuses (haha just kidding). Any ideas? And thank you.

 

[citychicks13]

I have found that breeds with large crests do not like ramps or roosts much. I think this is because their crests tend to make it hard for them to see thus creating depth perception problems making them uncomfortable being more than a few inches off the ground. It might help to trim or tape the crests and give them "lessons" on how to use the ramp.

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Hello All-

I have three silkies. Only one of them will use the ramp to get in and out of the hen house. The other two hens just can't seem to figure it out.

I will wait to see if they'll go in at night on their own, and they never do. I find them sitting on the ground in the chicken run, huddled together, so then I put them inside.

In the mornings, same thing. If I don't take them out before I go to work, when I come home eight hours later, they're still inside.

The ramp seems kind of narrow and steep, so I put a log under the end to sort of lessen the incline. The silkie that uses the ramp normally doesn't have a problem with the log being there. So I'm not sure what to do about this situation.

I've asked my hubby to build them an elevator for them and he refuses (haha just kidding). Any ideas? And thank you.

Surprisingly this is not uncommon in the slightest. Silkies especially seem to be less willing to use certain ramps. the ramp to your coop, is it solid with steps on top or just the steps like a ladder? I believe they'll usually go up the solid ones unless it's too slippery. My silkie rooster does some Houdini like moves so that he doesn't have to use my ladder style ramp cuz he's a bit of a clutz on it.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Throw some scratch on the ramp. They will figure it out.

 

[chicmom]

Surprisingly this is not uncommon in the slightest. Silkies especially seem to be less willing to use certain ramps. the ramp to your coop, is it solid with steps on top or just the steps like a ladder? I believe they'll usually go up the solid ones unless it's too slippery. My silkie rooster does some Houdini like moves so that he doesn't have to use my ladder style ramp cuz he's a bit of a clutz on it.

You know, I thought about that too, so I trimmed their little crests up a bit to help them see better, but nope. They still won't use that ramp. I don't want to cut off too much of their crests because that's part of their charm. The ramp is solid, with those rungs tacked onto it. But it's narrow.

 

[Lamaremybabies]

You know, I thought about that too, so I trimmed their little crests up a bit to help them see better, but nope. They still won't use that ramp. I don't want to cut off too much of their crests because that's part of their charm. The ramp is solid, with those rungs tacked onto it. But it's narrow.

Hmmmmm, could you maybe make it wider and see if that helps? Also throwing scratch on to it its not a bad idea, they'll have to climb up it to get the scratch. Or even a different treat that they lovee. I noticed you didn't mention how old they are. If your silkies are still young they may just be a little too small to get up confidently.. That being said I have a silkie who's only 3 months and the size of a softball go goes up and down my ramp like it's her job. haha

Hopefully you'll get to the bottom of your silkie ramp dilemma soon!

 

[chicmom]

Hmmmmm, could you maybe make it wider and see if that helps? Also throwing scratch on to it its not a bad idea, they'll have to climb up it to get the scratch. Or even a different treat that they lovee. I noticed you didn't mention how old they are. If your silkies are still young they may just be a little too small to get up confidently.. That being said I have a silkie who's only 3 months and the size of a softball go goes up and down my ramp like it's her job. haha

I had trouble using my cell phone ap, but this is a pic of my three little hens. LOVE them! The Wheaten colored hen is 1 year old, then the other two are almost 6 months old, so maybe it's because they're young.....Wheaten girl, her name is Honey, is boss lady! LOL

Hopefully you'll get to the bottom of your silkie ramp dilemma soon!

 

[Lamaremybabies]

View attachment 1116966

Man your coop and birds are gorgeous!

The ramp is very long and narrow.. but they can definitely go up it on their own. I'd bring them over to it and place them in the middle of the ramp and offer treats. Almost like training a dog. After a while they'll learn to go up and down

 

[chicmom]

Awe, thank you! I'll keep trying!

 

[Okie Dokie]

You know, I thought about that too, so I trimmed their little crests up a bit to help them see better, but nope. They still won't use that ramp. I don't want to cut off too much of their crests because that's part of their charm. The ramp is solid, with those rungs tacked onto it. But it's narrow.

I have trouble with getting my silkies up the ramp also. The wood with rungs seemed to slippery. So I stapled a towel on the ramp and it makes it much easier to climb. They still won’t go up it by themselves though. Im working with them so will hopefully get them to go up before winter