Why won’t they use their ramp ?

[Loving my girls]

Hi everyone,
I have a crazy question. After spending months designing a major upgrade and extension to my girls home and just as long doing it I have hit a problem that I am hoping you can help with.
They won’t use the ramp !
It has been carefully designed, it’s 40cm wide - plenty wide enough for my medium sized hens, at an angle of 40 degrees before it gets to the 80cm high shelf (60cm deep) which holds the perch. The ramp has steppers about every 20cm which are a 2cm high and 2cm deep.
Instead of using the ramp they jump/flutter up and down.

What do they want ? A lift ?

 

[sourland]

They may want a wider ramp.

 

[AntiqueB]

The steps on my ramp were much closer, about 12 cm space between. I also put some non-slip tape between, like this one:

Perhaps they would like that.

You can also try varying the angle a bit to see if that's their problem by putting a brick under the end of it to raise it a bit.

 

[Perris]

my guess is the same as AntiqueB's; the steppers are further apart than their stride pattern, plus the angle's probably too steep for them not to slip on the main surface, whatever it's made of (photo or description would help us to help you). I and others use the stuff sold as a shelf liner to give their feet a good grip, this sort of thing
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Auckpure-M...F41ZVYM/ref=sr_1_5?nsdOptOutParam=true&sr=8-5

 

[Ridgerunner]

Instead of using the ramp they jump/flutter up and down.

Do they get to and from where you want them to? If they do, why does it matter?

The closest I've ever come to using a ramp was when I leaned a tree limb up to grow-out coop, probably at a 40 degree angle. Some used it to walk up and down but most just flew.

There are times a ramp would be justified. If you have breeds that cannot fly, if the area is so tight they cannot spread their wings and fly, or you've fed them so well they are more the size of turkeys than chickens and their legs would be at risk if they flew down. These conditions do not apply to my chickens so they can manage quite well without ramps.

 

[ChicNmom]

Sprinkle some grain or other treats up the ramp.

 

[BYChaymarket]

I use a stair/step ladder in my coop, which the chicks and hens hop up.
Instead of buying a non-stick product, I simply mixed a handful of sand into paint and applied it to each step.

 

[aart]

Pics would help for sure.
How long has it been in place
Agrees the "steppers" might be a bit far apart,
10cm apart would be better.
Also 40° off horizontal might be a bit steep, put something under the low end to lessen the angle.

 

[Loving my girls]

Hi everyone,
Thanks so much for your input
The main issue sounds like it is the distance between the steppers. I have asked hubby if he can add one between the original ones (after we get over our colds ).
Mr Grumpys answer was not to be repeated on this forum as his cold is clearly worse than mine (Man Cold )
Back to subject - The grippy issue still baffles me a bit as the ramp gets pretty grubby and I am thinking about the cleaning aspect.
Anyone any ideas how to do that with grippy stuff on the ramp ?
Hugz
Me

 

[KyCoop]

I have a rubber , no slip, outdoor mat on my ramp. Works great , can be cut to size. If anything gets on it I just scrape it off. I hose it down a few times in the summer but it does not get as "messy" as you think it would.