Broody Pen/Brooder Finished Today

[speckledhen]

Just built a broody pen/brooder in the storage area of the Delaware coop, especially made for my banty Cochin, Shadow, who has just gone over the edge, LOL. This is about 38" long and 28" wide, inside measurements and 24" tall. There is hinged lid as well as a door on the end for ease of maintenance. Because it's hardware cloth all round, it can be used as a safe outdoor brooder. Tonight, we move Shadow on the five eggs we want her to hatch.

 

[Fancie]

I got to quit looking at all you guys's stuff it makes my jeoluse..... chicks, chickens, pens, dogs, horses....... nooooooooooooooooooooooo

Good Job!!!

I'll have to make my hubby build me one.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Looks great! I hope all five hatch

and she can be a proud momma.

 

[jhart101]

I'm with Fancie...I'm jeoluse! Looks great!

 

[verlaj]

How long will you leave the hen/chicks in there before giving them larger quarters? I ask because I have a hen on eggs for the first time, and need to know when to have a bigger, yet secure, pen for them.

Thanks.

 

[speckledhen]

Since Shadow is so small, I think there will be plenty of room for several weeks. It's only five eggs, but the chicks are large standard breeds, so the babies may be larger than mama by four or five weeks old, if she isn't already sick of them, LOL.

 

[gumpsgirl]

That is fantastic! I bet Shadow is loving her new headquarters and the fact that she gets to sit on some eggs.

Great job Cyn!

 

[speckledhen]

Thanks, Stacey. I think it turned out well. Shadow is sitting tight so I have high hopes for her maternal abilities.

 

[Ellie]

Ok, dumb question, Cynthia. I am about to make a box for my broody, but she goes out once a day and dustbathes, and runs around in the grass.... how does she get out if there is a closed door?

Do you not want her out? Or, is it that you don't want others in?

By the way, nice job on the pen.

 

[ducks4you]

speckledhen, Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this!!!

I am so excited to see the thing I need to build. You see, I posted about wanting to see brooders about a month ago---guess you missed it, or...you were building this, I guess. A N Y W A Y, I am tearing down and rebuilding an 8 x 7 building, apex 8 ft, roof sloping both sides. Plenty of room for the 8 birds that will move in late this summer. I have had my 2nd batch of chicks, and I have HAD IT with raising them inside the house!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted a simple plan for a usable brooder where I can store extra grit, and baby chick feeders, etc., when not in use, and care for little fuzzybutts. The inside of this "playhouse", I think that was the original use, is open, so I can plan now how to use it. Could you send some specs? I would REALLY appreciate it. This is EXACTLY what I want to build!

Check out my pics (The purple thing is gonna be my new coop, after it's deconstructed, and rebuilt. I REALLY like the windows, which are on 3 sides.)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=185353