Teach chickens how to use the ladder

[sfc]

My chickens are about 3 months old and we just put them outside in the new coop we built. Will they figure out how to use the ladder or do I have to teach them, and how?

Thanks.

 

[ZepChick]

hi! our chickens mostly figured it out on their own. We had them start from the inside of the coop, so they used the ladder on the way down and I think that gave them the idea. Our Cochins have a bit of trouble, they are just kind of wobbly, but they try

 

[notsooldmcdonald]

In my brief experience, chickens have proven to be very curious. I have no doubt that they will figure out the ladder, provided you have "rungs" to help their grip.

-Christian

 

[dixiechick]

My cochin frizzles took some time to learn...I put them in the middle of the ladder for a bit each day...they eventually learned. Tonight is the first time one has figured out how to roost (rather than sleep in the nesting box)....he's such a big boy!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I'm an evil chicken owner. We started out with a doghouse coop that only had a maybe 6 in ladder. Dopey chickens still couldn't figure out how to get back in the doghouse. I had to toss them back in for 3 days!!

Same thing happened when they moved into the bigger coop. Made it out, but couldn't get back in. Stuffed their fuzzy butts back in through the opening. Took them about 3 days to figure that out too.