How do I get my ducks up the ramp?

[bernie131]

Just saw your second comments. How steep is the ramp? I’m guessing the coop was built for chickens and that the ramp is fairly steep? Maybe if you post some pictures it would be easier to understand what you’ve got there.

 

[bernie131]

Try posting in the duck section here. You might get a bunch more duck people to answer.

I've seen your pictures. I'm not a duck person but I don't think ducks like climbing. I'd just cut the lower section away and put the main coop on the ground. Having experience with prefab coops I reccomend putting it up on bricks or something to keep it from touching the dirt. The wood they build with softens and rots. Just keep it as low as possible so the ducks will go inside.
Good luck!

I can't cut the lower because a run is attached to it and they like going underneath it

 

[bernie131]

Just saw your second comments. How steep is the ramp? I’m guessing the coop was built for chickens and that the ramp is fairly steep? Maybe if you post some pictures it would be easier to understand what you’ve got there.

I posted some

 

[bernie131]

I’m not sure ducks go up ramps for anything short of water, but maybe you can teach them to do that. They’re also somewhat reluctant to sleep inside but you do have to do that or they’ll eventually fall prey to some creature of the night.

Mine fairly cheerfully flop over the threshold of one of two chicken tractors to join the already-assembled chickens & turkeys for the night, but there are no ramps involved. Maybe if you physically put them inside every night for a week or so and they learn ‘climbing down,’ they’ll get used to it enough to eventually climb up on their own.

Yeah they are never happy with night night time, they want to sleep on my lap,..I think the water is a good idea also,..thanks

 

[FortCluck]

I would use the backside opening and make it drop down on hinges, it's wider than the current ramp.

 

[CindyinSD]

I would use the backside opening and make it drop down on hinges, it's wider than the current ramp.

I concur... only I don’t think the back wall is gonna be long enough without being too steep.

I really do think it would be best to move the coop to the ground since you have ducks, not chickens. I know the shelter of the coop above is nice but maybe you could find a way to add a screened in lean-to. I’d add it to the front, encasing the pop door. That way you still have access to the clean-out.

That’s a narrow, steep ramp on a really adorable coop. It would be just fine for two or three hens but I’d be kind of nervous about my little drakes climbing that ramp, even if I could convince them to try. They’re so clumsy on land. All they really need is a little dog house type shelter that you can open (like the back of your coop) or with an open bottom so you can tip it up on end for cleaning. Then you could pick up a few hens to occupy your chicken house! More birds = better!!!

And hey! How about some pics of those ducks?

 

[CindyinSD]

Or... you could just pick your ducks up every evening and physically put them in the coop. That might be easiest of all.

 

[cmom]

Does the shingles or staples irritate their feet?

Doesn't seem to but gives them traction. Since I put the ramp and shingles on the ramp I have had other birds in the same coop and pen and they all have used the ramp.

 

[cmom]

My ramp isn't as steep but my coop is about the same height as yours.

 

[cmom]

I would use the backside opening and make it drop down on hinges, it's wider than the current ramp.