The Ramp ? ...

[kimb]

I have quite an extensive "ramp" system from my 3.5' high brooder house to the ground. I enclosed it with wire so they can't jump off the ramps and get hurt (chicks are 4 weeks old and are getting impossible to catch to take in/out of their brooder without great effort)

In my eagerness to get it completed I forgot to install the "steps" that are seen on most ramps for grip...

So I racked my brain - first thought about gluing sticks on (or pencils) ... then I went to the dollar tree and found outdoor carpet pieces

... then I found the "anti-slip" shelving liner stuff ... so I got both...

I used the shelving liner, (figuring the carpet might get caught in their nails), I used a double layer and stapled it to the ramp - I did grab my white rock girl and used her as my guinea pig - and she climbed the ramp fine ...

Has anyone ever used anything else (besides the traditional "tread" ) for their ramps? ...

(this is what I used:

 

[rainierlass]

My ramp is wrapped in hardware cloth and works great - I would think that shelf liner would get 'grungy' really fast and not wash down easily.....

 

[gryeyes]

I stapled hardware cloth to mine.

However, I do use that kind of shelf liner stuff for the brooder!!!

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

I used hardware cloth on mine also.

 

[kimb]

I never thought of using the hardware cloth -

what size did you use ? did you pull it tight or keep it loose? (I'm only mildly afraid of them getting their little toes pinched - since this is SOLEY a "brooder sized" ramp ... they'll be moving next door in a couple more weeks.

If the liner doesn't work it's easy enough to change (and for $1 at least it's not a large investment)

 

[Prospector]

I turn to freecycle for used cribs. Post up that you want one and why.

Likely someone with a crib that is no longer deemed safe will be glad to see it go to good use. The sides of the crib are useful as lattice in the garden, but I have one set aside to use as a ladder into the coop. I think it will work

 

[greenpeeps]

I used shingles. They work great, even the 4 week old chicks get up and down with no problem.

 

[tomtom69]

hmmm, a hardware cloth ramp seem pretty good to me, thanks for the suggestion!

 

[zookeeper15133]

I used that heavy jute twine, almost rope size and wrapped it around the ramps. The shelf liner cleans very well. Wet it down leave it sit for a few minutes then hose it off.

 

[Chookpensbuild]

Ramp wrapped in hardware cloth works great.