Broody or not ???

[aart]

Now I am trying to figure out if I want to make a pen inside here

You could do a quickie for now, if you want to let that orp set...but think long term too.
One thing for sure for both short and long term, is make it easily accessible for you!

The thing I regret/bemoan the most, tho I really didn't have room to make it bigger...is that the 4 feet with a 1-2 foot poop board makes moving around in there very tight for someone whose knees don't squat anymore.

 

[chickens really]

Yes..My Hen is in the Brooder only because it's -25C here in lovely Alberta......

 

[RoosterML]

She is definitely broody, squated right down once I took her out of the nesting box. Well here is her new home. She is sitting on 3 fake eggs right now.
I ended up doing it here it's a 3'x6' area:

 

[aart]

I ended up doing it here it's a 3'x6' area:

Looks pretty good!
She didn't mind being moved?

 

[RoosterML]

She didn't mind being moved?

Don't think so. First time I took her out and set her down to make sure she was broody. She squatted right down followed by running around like a puffed up mad woman. She was getting attacked by my redstar hens. Not sure why may they didn't like the noise she was making I guess. She eventually went back to the nesting box but went to the wrong one. No one said chickens were smart.
So I built the box I now have her in and moved her from the nesting box she was in and she squatted down on the fake eggs for a few minutes then walked around to check out her new digs. She is now sitting on the eggs again so I take it I am good to go.

 

[aart]

Yep, that sounds about perfect!
Good Job!
Broodies sometimes get picked on because they are acting 'different'.

Got place for those bator chicks too?

 

[RoosterML]

Got place for those bator chicks too?

They will be in the basement for awhile. I made them this: 4x8

 

[aart]

They will be in the basement for awhile. I made them this: 4x8

Ah, that's right!

 

[RoosterML]

@aart don't forget I still have the 5x9 coop sitting empty.

Not sure who is going to go in there yet.
How long would you keep the chicks with Mom in the 3x6?

 

[aart]

How long would you keep the chicks with Mom in the 3x6?

I let mama out with the chicks at about a week old, leaving the nest on the floor as a 'safe place'. Mama is likely get into a few fights.
Also add a creep feeder so chicks can eat/drink/rest in peace if need be.
Hard to see, but wires are squeezed so every other 'hole' is a bit larger than 2x4.