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.
Topic: Anyone got plans for a broody house? (Read 4064 times)
