AndyRoo Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 Hello I let the girls out this morning, and I noticed that they were really struggling with the plastic ladder. In fact, only one of them successfully made it! One girl misjudged the gap and put her foot through it causing her to cartwheel down, one tripped and slid down it on her tummy, and the remaining girls just sort of threw themselves out in a leap of faith!! Does anyone have any solutions? Has anyone found any 'replacement' steps? I'm wondering if it's something I can build myself. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I have a couple of bricks at the base of mine to help my small girls negotiate the gap. We once had some rather daft silkies who couldn't get on with it at all. so after a few weeks of lifting them up and down and hoping that they'd get the hang of it, we made a ramp out of a piece of wood with slim battens of wood nailed on to it for grip. We cable tied it onto the existing cube ladder. Made life much easier but I'd try with a 'step' at the base first and see how you get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I have all bantams, and they soon get used to it Andy - persevere; they will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted October 26, 2016 Author Share Posted October 26, 2016 I'll have to see how they get on. I know they can hop up on perches as high as the first step because I made them a couple which I noticed they are sitting on. I guess I'll have to see how they do this evening and tomorrow morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 it can take a couple of weeks for them to learn how to use step and ramps they seem to learn how to get down but struggle with the concept of going up them I use a laddered ramp in one run and proper steps in the other 2 all with a shelf along the front of the coops some of the mob still won't use the steps or ramp my lot range in age from 17 weeks up to 6 years old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 I've put a perch across just outside the Cube at door height. I also cable tied a piece run mesh to the ladder. My original 4 completely ignore the ladder and fly up to the perch, go along the perch, then hop into the house. The two new girls go up the ramp / ladder / mesh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 We no longer have a ladder into the Cube as it's butted up to the Walk In Run and have never had any problems with anyone getting in or out. We have perches at 5ft high and they all get up to those too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share Posted November 7, 2016 (edited) The girls have basically abandoned the idea of using the ladder to get out and instead just sort of hurl themselves out in a leap of faith. On the way up they just sort of do the same, but in reverse - throw themselves at the ladder and hope for the best. It doesn't seem to be affecting them negatively. I've built perches at various heights for them around the run now, which they all seem to approve of. Myrtle - the bravest and friendliest of them - now regularly hops up on to the highest perch, which is about 5 foot or so off the ground so she can come up and have a 'conversation'. She also comes running to the run door so she can be petted. She has tamed up surprisingly quickly. It's cute! Pepper the bluebelle is a belligerent little thing: squawks like mad when you enter the run, and she hates being handled. I'm deliberately trying to pick her up at least once a day to pet her. She's stopped struggling to get away, but is obviously relieved when you put her down. The other 3 are extremely skittish, and fast, so I've only been able to hold them once each - which none of them have enjoyed. The Legbars are probably the worst - the howled when being held! Edited November 8, 2016 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 I think that you'll just have to accept that some of then never get used to the ladders! ... The image of you gripping onto your Legbars whilst they howl... Hopefully they'll mellow with time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 i think it's a blue egg layer thing, my araucanas and both Blue Angels are the same; not keen on being mithered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
