The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Bionic on June 30, 2012, 07:18:12 pm
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I have a broody hen and have been offered some eggs but don't have a seperate house for them.
Does anyone have plans or a good picture of what a broody house should be like?
thanks
Sally
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I haven't photographed ours I'm afraid Bionic. But basically they are a small coop with secure door at ground level (nearly) operated externally, about 3' x 2' floor area and no nest box. Access by removing the roof. Attached run (with good screws) with no gaps for rats to get into with a hinged mesh roof (secure) and mesh and plastic covered sheltered area. Sides part weatherboarded to minimise draughts on the chicks. Whole thing mobile so it can be moved to fresh short-cut grass when chicks hatch -because the hen will have poo'd all over the run area.
A large rabbit hutch and run may do the job -that's what the neighbours thought I was building! They were a bit puzzled by 4 of them though. They have been the most versatile thing I have made. The door is large enough (just) for cockerels, but the runs too low so we use them now as single occupancy coops with a taller run, but we did have a Wyandotte breeding trio in one. The low runs are used for broodies. Now converted one as a bantam coop by adding a different side panel with a nest box, raising it off the floor (to preserve the grass) adding a perch and a big enclosed run. Cost about £120 to build one, but cheaper with two as the 10mm plywood sheet does two lids and two bases. Even cheaper for more as paint tin does about 6 coops and a roll of felt about 8. Roll of 12mm weldmesh does about 8 as well. Probably cost £240 for four.
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I use a (very) big rabbit hutch, they then progress to an ark...
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I have 3 hens living together, 2 broody sitting on eggs which are hatching as I type and the other just does it's own thing, no special set up at all and it seema to work ok
good luck!
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we use the eglu :&>
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(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/castlefarmpoultry/000_0283.jpg)(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/castlefarmpoultry/000_0279.jpg)
2x2 frame and ply. 6ft long by 2ft wide and deep.
Coop and run.
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(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/castlefarmpoultry/000_0286.jpg)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/castlefarmpoultry/000_0284.jpg)
Off cut twinwall sheet over coop. Shelf for drinker in run part. Grit box on same ledge.
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Warescott Farm I don't think that would work for me as their nest box is up a ramp and my chicks won't be able to go for a stroll.
I have just bought a triangular shaped rabbit hutch that should do the trick. It needs some preservative on it and then I will order the eggs.
Thanks everyone
Sally