Crate size for momma hen

[Iluveggers]

I recently placed my 2023 chick order, and started thinking ahead. If one of my hens ends up broody at that time, I might put a dog crate in my coop and let her raise my chicks there if she accepts them. What size crate would be acceptable for this? I am planning for 5 chicks. If I don’t have a broody, the crate can be used as a broody breaker, brooder, or isolation pen, so it won’t be wasted.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'd use the largest one you can get.

 

[SueT]

I give my moms a segregated area in the coop that’s about 2 X 5’ and it gets small fast! A crate won’t be sufficient for long. Mama also has access to part of the run, and takes her babies outdoors by day 3. I can’t imagine leaving them in a crate for more than a couple days. Many people let the mamas raise their babies within the flock, that’s another option….

 

[Iluveggers]

I give my moms a segregated area in the coop that’s about 2 X 5’ and it gets small fast! A crate won’t be sufficient for long. Mama also has access to part of the run, and takes her babies outdoors by day 3. I can’t imagine leaving them in a crate for more than a couple days. Many people let the mamas raise their babies within the flock, that’s another option….

It would just be for the first day or two…if she’s a good momma she will protect them after, right? I obviously have some reading to do, but my order isn’t coming until June

 

[SueT]

It would just be for the first day or two…if she’s a good momma she will protect them after, right? I obviously have some reading to do, but my order isn’t coming until June

If she’s high enough in the pecking order, no problem. It’s going to depend on your flock dynamics, and if the right hen just happens to go broody, at just the right time, so you’ll have to play it by ear.

 

[Iluveggers]

If she’s high enough in the pecking order, no problem. It’s going to depend on your flock dynamics, and if the right hen just happens to go broody, at just the right time, so you’ll have to play it by ear.

Thanks! It will definitely be a decision made at that time. I’ve never used a broody, not even 100% sure I want to, but I research way ahead and have plan A, B, & C for everything. Drives DH crazy.

 

[SueT]

I look forward to updates!

 

[aart]

If I don’t have a broody, the crate can be used as a broody breaker, brooder, or isolation pen, so it won’t be wasted.

Smaller is better for breaking/isolation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/foldable-wire-dog-crates-a-good-tool-for-every-chickeneer.72619/

Broodies with chicks need enough space for a nest, feed, water, and space to poop away from those things. My broody/chicks space is 4x6 created with a temporary wall within the coop.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[Ridgerunner]

I let mine raise the chicks with the flock from Day 1. That doesn't mean I think you need to or even can. We all have different circumstances so the same things don't always work for each of us.

What do your facilities look like? I am asking about the size of the coop and the run, that is important. Do you have an elevated coop with a ramp or is it a ground level coop? Even with the ground level coop what does the pop door look like? Do you have a small run or do they forage on grass every day? My suggestions would be different based on what you are working with.

I like people that plan ahead. It can be frustrating working with them but when something happens, as it often does, at least you don't panic. You can handle it.

If you are picking a delivery date this far in advance the odds of you having a broody are really thin. But sometimes you get lucky. Nothing wrong with dreaming. And if you are in that situation we can help with techniques that can improve your odds of success.

 

[Iluveggers]

My coop is 8x8, 6ft high, with 16 ft of roost space. It is built 2 ft off the ground to provide additional run space which totals 8x20. There is an 18in wide door for the chickens with a foot wide ramp to get down, and a walk-in human door for me.

I let the flock out for a few hours a day on most days unless it is dark early in winter, or there is snow or heavy rain (they refuse to step on snow) into a large 6ft fenced area covered in 2x4 welded wire (that would not keep chicks in at that size hole). After reading @aart ‘s links, I think I can rig up some chicken wire to split the chicks (& possibly momma hen) once it’s time. There is a good area below the nest boxes and to the side of the entry that is about 2x6 that wouldn’t be in the way or under the roost bars. Lots of good ideas now!

@Ridgerunner I am pretty hands on, so I’ll keep my babies inside for a few weeks, but I was planning on bringing their brooder (a big crate) into the run daily for a few hours once they are a few days old if there isn’t a broody, just so the girls can see them and get used to them. I am planning to have them sleep outside in the coop at 4 weeks in a protected space whether I just put their brooder in there or block off a space. In June, they should be able to handle whatever temp it is. I brood in the garage. Last year we carried the brooder into a blocked of section of the run every day, to get them acclimated to the area. My son & I could carry it together without issue. Much easier logistically when there aren’t any hens there to bother them!