Ladder problems

[user1470575503]

Hi wondering if anyone can help a newbie chicken keeper?
We got some rescue hens yesterday. We have an Omlet with the plastic ladder and the ladies are struggling with it. They don’t seem to have worked out how to get in and out of the coop. I have lifted them in and out several times,and “encouraged” them to go out, but they just leap from the top rung.
My husband is wondering whether we should make a ramp for them?
Any ideas? Thanks!

Congratulations on your new ladies 😊 They can sometimes take a while to get the hang of ladders, particularly if you don't have existing hens whose actions they can follow.

If I've got young hens I will leave things as they are until they get the hang of the ladder. Because you have rescue hens though they may physically struggle with coping with a ladder so if you can make a ramp it might make things easier while they are gaining strength. Our first Girls were ex battery, we had a ramp with the first coop but ended up extending the ramp to make it easier initially. Just make sure they have made it into and out of the coop in the morning and evening. I'm sure the BHWT suggests using arnica on their legs to alleviate aches, assuming you are able to catch them yet!

Thank you. They seem to have worked it out in a fashion. They sort of slide down and scramble back up… hopefully they will manage to work it out properly soon!
I hadn’t heard about the arnica,will look into that thanks.

I put another large step made out of random bricks and bits of wood at the bottom and possibly at the side when the ex-batts were new to it. They get the hang of it. Just watch when they get older, one hen fell through the rungs and was stuck but generally it's all ok in the end.