res
Songster
PREFACE: *** All my chickens free-range on 5+ acres during the day, andvoluntarily return to the coop at dusk, where they are locked in until sunrise the next day. Predators are not a concern, as I have a very protective LGD***
One of my hens has gone broody, and is sitting on 15 eggs. I intend to give her and the chicks the entire 8x12 enclosed coop to hatch and raise her chicks. At first, I had hoped that she could hatch and raise the chicks in a community setting, but this morning, one of my other hens "raided" her nest while she (the broody) was up getting a bite to eat and drink. This resulted in a broken egg, and I don't want to risk a repeat occurrence, so it looks like she will be in solitary confinement.
This means that my 16 other hens will be housed in the run until the chicks are old enough to intergrate into the flock. The run measures 12'x20' and has a full roof, as well as a solid wall to the north. The roof peaks at about 9' and slopes down to 7', so the sidewalls of the pen are very high.
I have a ton of leftover tin, and was thinking I could somewhat enclose the run with the tin on the bottom half, and tarps above as needed when the weather requires it. Is this enough protection for 16 hens? Ventilation would be accomplished by the open areas at the peaks and between the rafters, but all direct winds/drafts would be blocked.
One of my hens has gone broody, and is sitting on 15 eggs. I intend to give her and the chicks the entire 8x12 enclosed coop to hatch and raise her chicks. At first, I had hoped that she could hatch and raise the chicks in a community setting, but this morning, one of my other hens "raided" her nest while she (the broody) was up getting a bite to eat and drink. This resulted in a broken egg, and I don't want to risk a repeat occurrence, so it looks like she will be in solitary confinement.
This means that my 16 other hens will be housed in the run until the chicks are old enough to intergrate into the flock. The run measures 12'x20' and has a full roof, as well as a solid wall to the north. The roof peaks at about 9' and slopes down to 7', so the sidewalls of the pen are very high.
I have a ton of leftover tin, and was thinking I could somewhat enclose the run with the tin on the bottom half, and tarps above as needed when the weather requires it. Is this enough protection for 16 hens? Ventilation would be accomplished by the open areas at the peaks and between the rafters, but all direct winds/drafts would be blocked.