Will ducks use a ramp

[Bekahh]

I have this chicken coop but I have way more chickens than it can accommodate so instead of having 2 chicken coops I am wanting to use it as a duck house since I only have 5 ducks (they free range in the day) in the past my ducks have been stubborn about not wanting to use nesting boxes to lay their eggs(I usually find them in the corners or wedged behind nesting boxes or occasionally in the pool) but even if they dont use the boxes i want them to have the option of being somewhere protected from the wind and rain but I didn't know if they would use the ramp and if not how could i modify it to be suitable for them

 

[3bird]

Our ducks (silver Appleyards) use a ramp without issue, but it is not as steep as your ramp appears to be in the photograph. Our flock has also been using it since the first day they moved outside. Here's a short video showing the angle of our ramp.

(NOTE: This was last winter. After this we wrapped the run in plastic on three sides and now only lock our guys in at night when it's -5F or lower. They come and go up and down the ramp all day and night usually.)

 

[Bekahh]

Do u have any suggestions on how I how I could make it easier for my ducks

 

[Conan]

Our ducks (silver Appleyards) use a ramp without issue, but it is not as steep as your ramp appears to be in the photograph. Our flock has also been using it since the first day they moved outside. Here's a short video showing the angle of our ramp.

(NOTE: This was last winter. After this we wrapped the run in plastic on three sides and now only lock our guys in at night when it's -5F or lower. They come and go up and down the ramp all day and night usually.)

That is absurdly cute. Love your duck posts.

 

[Conan]

I have this chicken coop but I have way more chickens than it can accommodate so instead of having 2 chicken coops I am wanting to use it as a duck house since I only have 5 ducks (they free range in the day) in the past my ducks have been stubborn about not wanting to use nesting boxes to lay their eggs(I usually find them in the corners or wedged behind nesting boxes or occasionally in the pool) but even if they dont use the boxes i want them to have the option of being somewhere protected from the wind and rain but I didn't know if they would use the ramp and if not how could i modify it to be suitable for themView attachment 1687987 View attachment 1687988

I agree with 3bird. That ramp is a bit too steep for them to go up. They aren't the most elegant critters, are they?
Personally, my ducks live in a hoop coop with no ramp. When I had a little coop for them to sleep in with a ramp, it was a constant battle trying to get them to go in, so I just quit trying. Ducks are resilient so if the run portion is predator proof, I'd let them just hang there.

 

[3bird]

Do u have any suggestions on how I how I could make it easier for my ducks

My only real suggestion is a less steep angle (like ours), but it doesn't look like you have the space. Maybe provide some more pictures?

 

[Texag87]

Ours will not use a ramp that is not as steep as yours,even with a mealworm or pea bribe. Like your coop, there is not enough room to extend it so I took it out.

 

[CountryFried]

I agree with 3bird. That ramp is a bit too steep for them to go up. They aren't the most elegant critters, are they?
Personally, my ducks live in a hoop coop with no ramp. When I had a little coop for them to sleep in with a ramp, it was a constant battle trying to get them to go in, so I just quit trying. Ducks are resilient so if the run portion is predator proof, I'd let them just hang there.

@honanbm , is your hoop coop movable? I'm trying to figure out a way to predator-proof a mobile duck palace haha, whatever that palace may be. My ducklings should be here in a week so I figure I have about a month to build their palace.

 

[Conan]

@honanbm , is your hoop coop movable? I'm trying to figure out a way to predator-proof a mobile duck palace haha, whatever that palace may be. My ducklings should be here in a week so I figure I have about a month to build their palace.

It's not, but I think you could make a smaller, more manageable version. Ours is 8x16 and the hardware cloth is dug in around the base so no moving it. I would think you could create a variation with mobility, given the right materials. How many ducks are you needing to keep contained?

 

[CountryFried]

It's not, but I think you could make a smaller, more manageable version. Ours is 8x16 and the hardware cloth is dug in around the base so no moving it. I would think you could create a variation with mobility, given the right materials. How many ducks are you needing to keep contained?

5 KCs and 2 Chinese geese for a while. Once the geese are big enough, they can free range, but it seems the KCs will always need cover due to the hawks. I do plan to expand the duck flock each year.