*SUCCESS* WHen will they learn how to use the ramp?!

[fshinggrl]

I am home now so here is a picture of the henhouse/run. It's not the best or the fanciest, but it is functional and all I could afford at the time. The nest boxes are on the backside & stick out.

 

[MuskokaChick]

When I got my 11 hens, I kept them in the coop for 1.5 weeks. Then after that I opened the door to the run...around 8:30 every night they are all in the coop on the top perch. Then after a week, after they laid all their eggs I opened the run so that they could free range...I was very nervous about them going back in...but sure enough 8:30 at night they are all in the coop and I shut the doors to the coop and run and we start all over in the morning.

Then I got 3 silkies...and they are in a different section of the coop and I did the same process...left them in the coop for 1 week, and then after that let them out all day to free range and they go back in probably earlier than the red stars.

I will be getting 13 more red stars next week, and I will do the same thing just so they learn where bed/home is etc...

 

[nlbeardmore]

The ramp is quite steep and large, u will most likely catch them using it when you arnt looking!

 

[Beekissed]

Other than being steep, I can't see why your birds don't use your ramp, particularly at night. Do you keep a light on outside the coop or inside? If outside, I can see why they won't go in. If inside, they should gravitate towards the light after dark. Do you have roosts in your coop? If not, then your birds will most likely sleep where they feel most secure instead of in the coop...even if the "most secure", to them, is under your coop.

All in all, they look quite young and sometimes it just takes time for them to learn...helps when they have older hens to show the way but they should catch on eventually.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't see anything wrong with your basic set-up. The cockerels get up there on their own, so it is not like they can't use the ramp. They could fly up there without the ramp if they wanted to. Do not get hung up on the ramp. The ramp is not the problem.

Have you tried leaving them locked in the coop portion only for about a week? Do not let them in the run at all for that time period. They need to get used to the idea that the coop is where they spend the night. That is the first thing I would try. It does not always work, but it is an easy thing to try that will often work.

Sometimes the coop is too dark. That's where the talk of the light comes from. They cannot see in the dark, so if the coop is too dark for them to see in while it is still fairly light outside, they cannot see to go to bed in the dark. Windows or a small light in the coop can help. A light outside can hurt. Just something to consider.

Nine weeks is an in-between age. Most of my brooder raised chicks do not start roosting before ten weeks, though my current batch started at 5-1/2 weeks.

I have had chickens not want to go in the coop because other chickens were being vicious to them on the roosts, but at nine weeks I would be surprised if that were the problem with two cockerels. Usually at that age, the girls are beating up on the boys as much or more than the boys beating up on the girls. Still, don’t entirely rule it out.

Are you sure you are waiting for it to get dark enough for them to go to bed? Sometimes the ones lower in the pecking order wait until the last second to go to the coop so the others won’t pick on them so much. I’ve noticed that mine can be pretty vicious at bedtime in enforcing their pecking order rights.

I had a group that the first day they were allowed in the run, about half went to bed in the coop and half stayed in the run when it got dark. I put the ones in the run where they needed to be and the second night they all went into the coop. It may be that they just need a reminder or two.

Hopefully you will find something in here that helps. Good luck!

 

[fshinggrl]

I normally have a light on INSIDE the coop. There are roosts inside. They were locked in for about 5 days initially, and then after that it has been only when it wasn't raining (been raining a lot here lately). I know they are not going in on their own because they are sooo thirsty when they get up there after I catch them all. The cockerels are always up on the roosts when I go out and it is so dark that the pullets have a hard time seeing me catching them. They know something is catching them and move towards the center of the underneath of the henhouse, which makes it difficult to catch. There is no light on the outside. They are generally huddled by a step (blocks) that I stand on to look inside... so if I didn't catch them and insert them into the house, they would sleep there all night.. I am positive of it.

Thank you for putting a lot of thought into that Ridgerunner! My last batch of chicks were easily herded up when I was having issues and they only spent 2 days in the house before release. We're going to be gone this coming weekend I do not want whoever taking care of them to have to catch them so hopefully this week something will click.

eta: I have seen one or two pullets go up the ramp. I know that is not the problem. It's just getting them up there by night.

 

[4Hchickenproject]

If the water in the coop is your only source of water, for reasons having nothing to do with using the ramp, I would set water outside as well. The chicks do not need to go all day without water.

I never did use a true ramp leading into my coop, but rather, have a ladder-type arrangement. I set the chicks in and out until they started getting excited and beating me to it by flying and hopping up the ladder. I found that if I fed and watered my chicks near the base of the ladder they tended to congregate around it and would naturally start working their way farther up and toward the coop. Perhaps you could try setting your food and water at the base of the ramp, along with treats on the ramp, to see if they'll begin using.

I'm a newbie

, so maybe someone with more experience will correct my thinking if it's wrong.

 

[fshinggrl]

Thanks for all the advice! I know they can go up the ramp, I have seen it with a few, but something keeps them from going in the door. I will be trying treats tonight.

 

[fshinggrl]

oOPS, today I realized that I had turned the light off inside. I went out to leave treats and turned the light on. Three of the ten were in and on the roost. Wish those cockerels would escort their ladies up.

 

[ketcham]

I had mine in a utility tub in the garage for a couple of months while building a coop.I got lucky I guess.Sits about 20" off the ground.My ramp is a 2x6 that was laying around.It is 5ft long.First night was 4o mins catching free range chickens around the garage.Next night,just one had to be put to bed.Now they are pros and right in at dusk.No problem with the ramp.I do have to close the garage at dusk or they go in.Or be outside to shoo them out.The tub sits out side[for now] and I think they miss it.They grew up in it.They do like the coop and no problems on the ramp.Kevin