[little blue]

I know, its a daft question, but...

We have a broody hen who is still in with her "sisters" & cockerel.
She is sitting on half a dozen eggs, which are marked (the others lay in the other box anyway)

We have a few options (with cobbling!)  but whats the kind of size of house & run she'll need?
And will she cope with a move ok?

She would move back with her "sisters" eventually(we've shuffled them round in the past & she's always been fine)
The chicks (I know, don't count them til they're hatched!) will probably be mixed with the incubator-raised ones & some sold & some put in with others (ie not with their dad!)
So its not a long term option, but I want them to be safe & secure, but with enough room to explore.

Any ideas appreciated

[deepinthewoods]

mines 2 foot each way, without a bottom,to let moisture rise. i fill it up with straw and make a nest for the eggs, the front is barred to stop the hen coming off, but ive fitted a door so she can come out if she wants and it lets the chicks out when theyre ready, i make an enclosed run to fit of about 4sq foot. my broody coop is an old one i found on the estate, its got a slidy section in the roof to allow access.

[chrismahon]

I've built 4 rearing units for chicks or broody hens. The hen should be on an earth hollow lined with hay as Deeinthewoods says. That's the traditional method. But we have a major problem with rats being next to the canal. So ours are like small coops, almost rabbit hutches with a floor raised from the ground 3". Internal pop-hole door and single air vent, pent roof about 2' x 3'. A secure run is fitted to the front which is 3' x 5'. Clad with 10mm weldmesh and 8" of closed boarding on all sides with a partially sheeted roof area. Entry to run is by lifting 2/3rds of the roof as a hinged door. Pop-hole opens by pull cord from the outside. In retrospect I should have sheeted all of the roof because there isn't enough sheltered area from rain or sun for the chicks. Future modification to make.

Thought the 4" step down to the run would be a problem, but little chicks can jump that easily!

[little blue]

thanks Chris & D.i.t.W,
 rats are my main concern. Which is why I don't want to move to the "big shed" cos the little sods ALWAYS find a way in
 
 I thought maybe a rabbit hutch, but wondered about the height? I guess its not a problem, no head banging?!