It sounds like a great plan to me! I'll be doing something similar in the spring. If I don't have a broody available, any chicks I get in the mail will be brooded right in the coop in a hay bale bunker with the plywood topper. The older birds will be able to walk on the lid if they so desire, so won't lose any floor space but they won't be able to get into the chicks.
I am trying to keep up with this post, but I must have missed
![hu.gif](https://www.backyardchickens.com/styles/byc-smilies/hu.gif)
![bow.gif](https://www.backyardchickens.com/styles/byc-smilies/bow.gif)
Thank you!
Lisa
![Smile :) :)](/styles/byc-smilies/smile.png)