Coop Ramp - Need Opinions and Pics!

[ChickityChina]

We are in the process of building our coop. Hubby is building the coop proper and I am in charge of the smaller parts (accessories, trim, feeders/waterers, ramp, etc.). Being preggo, I can't do much else at the moment lol!

So my question is about ramps. I originally planned on doing the standard-looking ramp with slats. See below for example (not my image - just borrowing).

But, the more I think about this type, the more I am dissatisfied with it. I know chickens like to hop/fly up to roosts and things, so why would they want to walk up a ramp? Also, I figure it is going to get severely mucky with all of them pooping on it all the time. While I am good at keeping things cleanly, I do not believe in making more opportunities for cleaning if it can be helped lol!

Here are my thoughts - I have seen people posting about a ladder-type ramp where it consists of branches going across two beams. I have also seen posts about a single or double "roost-bar" style setup where they can simply hop into the coop from it. I like these ideas, but I can't seem to find any good photos of this type of ramp. I want to get a good visual so I can build it. Anybody out there have this kind of thing or have a link to a good pic of one?

Also, any thoughts on the whole thing are welcome! I am down for ideas or opinions! Thanks all!

 

[Latestarter]

Greetings.

I have no idea about the height involved from ground level to the floor entrance to/of the pop door. That will obviously make a difference in the options realistically available to you. Also, the actual size of the pop opening will make a difference as well as a chicken aiming to enter said opening from a hop or semi flight will need the distance to be manageable to hit the opening as a moving "target".

An adult large fowl chicken can easily hop up about 2 feet and can fly down from much higher as long as they have sufficient distance lengthwise to drop in altitude and be on the ground before hitting the enclosure wall/fencing... bantams and wannabee chickens like silkies and such can't jump quite as high or fly quite as good obviously, so that needs to be taken into account. If the entrance is close to the ground you don't/won't need ANY ramp or steps...

You could use a simple cinder block as a stepping stone intermediate step-up/down for the birds.

You could use 4x4" posts and build "steps" just leave enough room between them that should they poop while standing on one, the poop won't hit the lower one on its way to the ground.

|Coop entrance
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You could use 4" round fence posts cut to length across instead of the 4x4, or maybe large diameter tree branches. You could simply use varying height sections of tree "stump" as step up/downs. Really the possibilities are pretty much endless. You could scan through just the pictures in the coop section and look for ideas or see what others have done.

Good luck and congratulations on the future addition to your family!

 

[ChickityChina]

I have no idea about the height involved from ground level to the floor entrance to/of the pop door. That will obviously make a difference in the options realistically available to you. Also, the actual size of the pop opening will make a difference as well as a chicken aiming to enter said opening from a hop or semi flight will need the distance to be manageable to hit the opening as a moving "target".

An adult large fowl chicken can easily hop up about 2 feet and can fly down from much higher as long as they have sufficient distance lengthwise to drop in altitude and be on the ground before hitting the enclosure wall/fencing... bantams and wannabee chickens like silkies and such can't jump quite as high or fly quite as good obviously, so that needs to be taken into account. If the entrance is close to the ground you don't/won't need ANY ramp or steps...

You could use a simple cinder block as a stepping stone intermediate step-up/down for the birds.

You could use 4x4" posts and build "steps" just leave enough room between them that should they poop while standing on one, the poop won't hit the lower one on its way to the ground.

|Coop entrance
|---|
|---| | |
|---| | | | |

You could use 4" round fence posts cut to length across instead of the 4x4, or maybe large diameter tree branches. You could simply use varying height sections of tree "stump" as step up/downs. Really the possibilities are pretty much endless. You could scan through just the pictures in the coop section and look for ideas or see what others have done.

Good luck and congratulations on the future addition to your family!

Thanks for they reply! All good points - I forgot to mention the height of the coop - sorry. I have the pop door situated about 2.5 feet from the ground and the size of the door itself is about 1' x 1'.

I really like the idea of steps using tree branches. Great little model there - thanks! Do you think if I use the frame from a small set of steps, I could just screw a couple of branches across them every couple steps?

Also, do you think it would help to have a platform of sorts coming off of the pop door for them to situate themselves on before entering? Like you said, they need to hop in the door, so I suppose they will need to tuck their wings in before going through too. I don't want more to have to clean off, but at least it would be less tedious than scraping off a ramp with slats.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[88sub4x4]

I use a ramp and after a year very little poop has gotten on it. My pop door is 1.5ft above the ground and I have a 3 foot ramp. I find the chickens hop onto it from the side and then walk in. So your idea of just a small landing outside the pop door would probably work nicely. I thought of changing mine to a ladder style but one of my chickens likes to sit under the ramp and nap so I don't want her losing her cozy spot or getting pooped on.

 

[Latestarter]

If you have LF birds, one step at 1/2 the height about 6" out from the side of the coop under the pop door ought to be just fine. One section of stump/log stood on end with foot surface ~18" above ground level... No "landing platform" should be needed... when they stand on the step their heads should be very near/ just below the entrance height. but if you really think they might "bang" their heads jumping up to get in, you could place another stump/log on end right at the door so the top is just below entrance level.

You mentioned using stair "risers" and screwing tree branches to them... absolutely! That would work just fine! You can get 3 tread risers at the depot or lowes over in the lumber area. If you can get DH to help, you could take 3 sections of log and cut notches at either end, then drill a 1/4" hole through and place the flat part of the notches down on the riser and bolt the log to the riser through the drilled hole with lag bolts. If no branches available, you could use a single landscape timber cut to length and the flat spot for resting on the riser would already exist. It's the perfect thickness as well for chicken feet to grip. I would only put a single log across each riser though, centered fore and aft. If you did more than that you'd be creating a poop collection nightmare for cleaning purposes.

 

[ChickityChina]

If you have LF birds, one step at 1/2 the height about 6" out from the side of the coop under the pop door ought to be just fine. One section of stump/log stood on end with foot surface ~18" above ground level... No "landing platform" should be needed... when they stand on the step their heads should be very near/ just below the entrance height. but if you really think they might "bang" their heads jumping up to get in, you could place another stump/log on end right at the door so the top is just below entrance level.

You mentioned using stair "risers" and screwing tree branches to them... absolutely! That would work just fine! You can get 3 tread risers at the depot or lowes over in the lumber area. If you can get DH to help, you could take 3 sections of log and cut notches at either end, then drill a 1/4" hole through and place the flat part of the notches down on the riser and bolt the log to the riser through the drilled hole with lag bolts. If no branches available, you could use a single landscape timber cut to length and the flat spot for resting on the riser would already exist. It's the perfect thickness as well for chicken feet to grip. I would only put a single log across each riser though, centered fore and aft. If you did more than that you'd be creating a poop collection nightmare for cleaning purposes.

Thanks so much for all your help on this! I now have a much clearer picture of what I'm going to do. I definitely like the one log per step idea as more than that would indeed be a hassle for cleaning off. I looked up the risers at home depot at the 3-step one is perfect! It is just under 3 feet tall, so I can just plant it into the ground as needed to fit it to the coop door. I think the chickens will be very happy with this setup, as will I not having to clean off a platform ramp. Thanks!!