Trap Door or Gate?

[tlharv]

When it comes to providing access from the roost to the run, how many of you have trap doors in the floor and how many have a door in the wall? I currently have a sliding trap door with a ramp, but those hens won't have anything to do with it. I've attached a run to one side of the coop (see photo) and I COULD put in a door on that side, but I'd really rather have them use the ramp.

I keep their food & water in the upper part all the time, which could be part of the problem. Should I relent and build a door? Should I move the food/water down below during the day so they have a reason to go down the ramp? Or... will they eventually just go down one day?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Spunky~Chick~Mom]

I sure wish I could help you! I am just getting my run's post in ground.

There are a few others on here talking about how the hens don't use ramp.

Good luck finding your answer....

 

[codybird]

I have a trap door and ramp.

I had to put them up into the coop by hand every night for about 5 days, then they got it. I let down the ramp every morning and finally they would use the ramp to come down.

I put food and water both places till they figured it out.

 

[egg-cellent]

I have never had the trap door type. But we do have a door in the back of our coop that goes to a run, and that has a ramp. Mine use it all the time, with no problems. But mine free range and they can go out the main front doors, or out the back little door with ramp, they choose both ways.
Hope this helps.

 

[patandchickens]

Door in the wall is MUCH MUCH better. A hole in the floor has two major disadvantages: bedding falls out all the time, and when it's open you are losing valuable floorspace - rather a lot, in fact, because it can't just be a square hole, it needs to be long enough for them to walk/flap/hop through at a comfortable angle and not bop their heads.

I'd suggest just giving up on the hole in the floor (cover it over permanently with plywood) and make a conventional popdoor in the wall.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[tlharv]

Ok, I'll put a hole in the wall. My lovely and talented bride recommended that from the start, so I probably won't hear the end of this...

 

[PhlyinPheBee]

My mom has both. The trap door with a ramp for the girls to use under the coop when they cannot go in the run and a side door for them to use to go in the run. They use both great. Her trap door can be raised to make the floor solid for when she is cleaning under the coop.

Good luck.

 

[CityChook]

Quote:
You should have listened to your wife. We're *always* right

PS - Don't forget a lock on your popdoor since your run is not covered.

 

[tlharv]

Door added (will complete the job tonight) and they used it immediately. They also automatically returned to the coop to nest after it became dark outside. I had to put netting over the door so they wouldn't fly out to the side. Now all I have to do is find a way to open/close the door without having to climb into the run area.