BREEDERS! I need some ideas for Broody Hen enclosures!

[capayvalleychick]

My broody hens are crowding together and sharing nests, resulting in poor hatches.

I would like some ideas for broody hen pens. What do you use?

I have tried large dog Vari Kennels. These are ok but the food & water spill and the manure gets too messy. I need a better idea.

Another issue is the heat here. It is over 100 degrees with very low humidity for a large part of the summer. This is when the girls decided to get broody.

I've also had difficulty moving broodies. They get upset and quit.

So, any and all advice is welcome! Thank you!

Kim

 

[wekiva bird]

I have used crate too. I have built a small BQ tractor for the broodie and the 1st aid I have posted it yesterday .

 

[Omran]

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I hope this will help you

 

[capayvalleychick]

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Thanks! Where/how do you put food & water in it?

Kim

 

[capayvalleychick]

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I found your photos. Very creative! Love your Delawares, too!

Kim

 

[Lollipop]

Kim, I use single nesting boxes that can be easily picked up and moved. When I get a broody, I go to her at night and put a piece of cardboard over the opening of the nest. Then I pick up the nest and carry it to my "maternity" pens. These pens are 30" X 30" and 30" tall. I remove the cardboard and let her settle for the night. After she has proven that she will set in her new location, for a couple nights, I go again at night and remove her original eggs and replace them with fresh ones that have been collected and dated for this occasion. Then I mark my calendar. I use hay for bedding for 2 reasons. Hay is great for strengthening chick legs and is easy to clean the huge poops that broodies leave. Before moving them into the maternity pen I set it up with food and water. The hen has the whole 21 days in there without being disturbed by anyone or anything except me when I feed or clean and that is as brief as possible. I do candle at day 7 and 14. The matenity pens that I have used in the past are built much like a tic tac toe pattern with 3 levels of 3 pens. The side walls are solid on the interrior compartments with hardare cloth used everywhere else, providing plenty of ventilation. The next ones I build will be two levels with the top level and bottom level more conducive to access as I`m only 6' 2" and can`t reach the top pens well on the 3rd level, same with the bottom row as I`m to old to be bending that low, LOL. BTW, I leave mom and babies in the 30" X 30" pen until they are about 2 weeks old, or crowding occures, then move them to a 4' x 5' pen with a dirt floor. Has worked well for me for a long time. Hope you can use some of this info............Pop

You might like these. Don`t forget the spring that is sold seperately.

http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_60_61&products_id=855

 

[ChooksinChoppers]

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That sounds like an excellent plan!

 

[capayvalleychick]

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That sounds like an excellent plan!

I agree! Thank you!

Kim