Supporting an Older Hen with Roost "Dismount"

[Anon112]

Looking for advice/opinions here: I have two Deleware hens who are getting a bit up in age. My chickens have a huge run with a coop inside of it, but they always want to sleep on top of the coop instead of inside of it. No big deal, as the run is pretty secure. However, this does mean that they are relatively high up when sleeping (maybe 5 feet).

In order to help my older hens (well, all of them, really) not have such a big drop, I have tried two different strategies in the past. The first is that I created a ladder. The other is that I've set up a "hop down" system. There is a barrel that they can hope down to off of the roof, then a crate that is about two feet down from that. While they can use both methods, which do you think is best?

I have tried introducing lower roosts in different places and with different materials and they are uninterested!

Anyone have a method for helping older birds off of the roost that you think is the best?

 

[azygous]

My aging chickens, including roosters, appreciate low perches and use them. But some chickens like yours obviously prefer the high perches. Chickens do take advantage of "step downs", even youngsters who instinctively want to avoid the stress on legs and feet that can occur when dismounting high places, and even not so high places.

So, I think you've already solved your problem.

 

[Anon112]

My aging chickens, including roosters, appreciate low perches and use them. But some chickens like yours obviously prefer the high perches. Chickens do take advantage of "step downs", even youngsters who instinctively want to avoid the stress on legs and feet that can occur when dismounting high places, and even not so high places.

So, I think you've already solved your problem.

Thank you! I wasn't sure if someone had a tried and true method, or if someone was going to tell me that there were hidden dangers in the ladder or step-down methods.

One of the hens had a bit of a limp a few weeks back, which is what sparked this thread. I kept a close eye on her and even got her down off the roost in the morning one day (her response would best be described as "indignant"). She seems pretty much back to normal, but I do want to make sure I'm helping them avoid injury if possible.

 

[azygous]

Just be sure the "steps" are a few inches, six or seven, instead of a few feet or yes, it can injure as much as jumping from a high perch.

 

[Anon112]

Just be sure the "steps" are a few inches, six or seven, instead of a few feet or yes, it can injure as much as jumping from a high perch.

I may need to add one more "step" then. Currently they walk down the coop roof incline, go down a few inches to the barrel, but it's about a foot from the barrel to the crate.

I also might see if I can figure out a way to do a ramp with "safety bumps" that they can grip with their feet.

 

[Mrs. K]

I use the bench idea, mine use it for getting up, but they just jump to the floor spreading their wings to slow their descent. They don't use the bench at all.

 

[Anon112]

I use the bench idea, mine use it for getting up, but they just jump to the floor spreading their wings to slow their descent. They don't use the bench at all.

See mine seem fine flying up to the roost, but it's getting down where I'm starting to see some hesitation and worry a little about their legs as they are landing. They are "curvy" ladies, and gravity is not their friend on the way down.

 

[Mrs. K]

Do you have deep bedding? I have pretty deep hay underneath them.

 

[saysfaa]

You might cushion the steps. My "step" is a box filled with wood shavings or sawdust. The box is big enough and the floor of it is thin enough to have quite a lot give even without the litter in it.

Mine use the "step" on the way down most of the time. When they were younger, they would fly down more of the time than they do now. I don't know if it is because they like the shorter drops now or they like a meal on the way down - my feeder is on the "step"

 

[Anon112]

Do you have deep bedding? I have pretty deep hay underneath them.

They are flying from on top of the coop to the floor of the run which is a dirt floor. (The dirt is relatively soft because they dig and scratch around in it so much.)