breeding pen question

[yotetrapper]

I have a 4x4x4 pen I constructed as a super duper brooder. The bottom 3rd is wood, the top 2/3s chicken wire. Was wondering if this would work for keeping one roo and two hens in just long enough to produce fertile eggs?

How long does the roo need to be with the hens in order for the eggs to become fertile?

 

[silkiechicken]

A week would be good to make fertile eggs. If you want it from a particular roo, it takes about 3 weeks to "clean out" the old roo.

4x4 may work but it is kind of small and may stress out birds who are not used to being cooped up.

 

[yotetrapper]

Well, they're always penned. Too many predators here for free ranging, coyotes trot through the yard weekly! Not to mention numerous hawks and eagles.

They live in a 8x10 or so coop, with a fairly large run, maybe 15x25 or so. But I have a smorgasboard of chickens. Was wanting to pen some up (banty cochins, or EEs) for hatching eggs.

I might have to modify it a little and make it a bit bigger if it dont work out.