Broody coop

[APorter84]

Those of you who use broody hens to hatch chicks: if I were to create a small coop/enclosure for a hen to hatch and raise chicks what would be a reasonable sq footage? I was brainstorming something like a 2x2 or 2x3 nest box maybe 2-3 ft high and then a small 2x4 or 2x5 run space? Again 2-3 ft high.
My goal would be for the hen to be able to keep the little ones in it short term- a couple weeks? And be able to free range separately and/or with the flock.
Is that adequate or does it need to be bigger or?
We are hoping after we establish the health of our flock we can play a bit with letting a couple of our chronic broodies hatch some babies- maybe to rehome as day old, maybe to grow out and find homes for. Kiddo wants to try a little of all of it. We don’t have a ton of space to devote to this but I could put together something on the smaller side but comfortable for them...it would also function as a separation pen for an injured, recovering or problem chicken as needed

 

[black_cat]

I have never used a broody hen, but from what I have read on BYC that should be a great amount of space! You can probably put that in a corner of the coop, or the run during the day and inside at night for easier integration.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have a picture of mine.....
It is 4' wide and 3' front to back. The run space is 4x6. Note the hinged top on the run and the hinged roof on the house.
That run is 2' tall. The lid is not hinged in the middle. It is hinged off center so the side away from the house when opened will la completely flat on the side close to the house. I found that VERY handy.
When the house lid is flipped open it lays on the run so no stick to knock out of place and get smacked by a heavy lid falling.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I use a coop kit for my broody, but now I just raise them with the flock. Easier this way for me

 

[MarkJr]

My broody never gets separated from flock. Even during lock ins to help convince the girls to lay in coop vs all over.

 

[aart]

I partition off a 4x6 part of the coop, was designed that way.
Has a separate people door so I can go in and tend to whatever needs tending to, and pop door to a separate 8x8 run. I have a 14x16x16 floor nest. I remove the partition wall about one week after hatch for integration.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

@aart do you see any good doing a week before intergation as opposed to no seperation or waiting until the chicks are feathered to integrate since they can still actually see the chicks the whole time?

 

[aart]

@aart do you see any good doing a week before intergation as opposed to no seperation or waiting until the chicks are feathered to integrate since they can still actually see the chicks the whole time?

Not quite sure what your question is.
I keep my broody separated from flock during incubation because it's simpler for me, and her.
I wait a week or two after hatch to take down wall so chicks are stronger at integration time and mama can teach them to use ramp before integration.
With chicks that I hatch in an incubator, I do this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Not quite sure what your question is.
I keep my broody separated from flock during incubation because it's simpler for me, and her.
I wait a week or two after hatch to take down wall so chicks are stronger at integration time and mama can teach them to use ramp before integration.
With chicks that I hatch in an incubator, I do this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

Sorry, thought I worded it okay. I meant mostly why you chose one week to be the integration age rather than immediately or when the chicks were feathered out and possibly starting to be weaned

 

[aart]

Sorry, thought I worded it okay. I meant mostly why you chose one week to be the integration age rather than immediately or when the chicks were feathered out and possibly starting to be weaned

Ah...one week for chick strength....but not much longer so broody's fierce is still high for pecking order battles.