Okay, so I have 2 things I want to put out in the universe here...
#1 UNCLE!!!! I think @RebeccaBoyd has jinxed me! I usually have 2 or 3 broodies a year, and 1 or 2 that 'think about it'. Not this year. Someone definitely put hormones in our well water. I presently have 11 that are either actively incubating eggs (or, golf balls
) or brooding chicks at the moment - and that isn't counting my WR girl who has already turned her chicks loose! While I wouldn't mind too much - I just have no place to keep them all safe AND make sure others don't kick them off the nests.
and #2: Is this a crazy idea or not???
On my way home today I saw a dresser for free by the curb, I started thinking - and if it is still there tomorrow AND it is real wood, not particle board, maybe I could make it into a broody hut??? ( it is set up like this one - 2 full drawers and 2 small drawers) I was thinking of taking the middle drawer out, and putting a hinged hardware cloth covered frame over that opening. Taking the 'face' off the bottom drawer, reattaching it with hinges so it 'opens down' like a ramp, and is secured up on the sides with either these or these with carabiners. I was thinking that around the interior edge of the bottom drawer I would need to fasten 2X2s or 2X3s to keep the rats from crawling up into it between the drawer and bureau framing. I could keep the top 2 smaller drawers intact for storage or remove them too, & cover with hardware cloth, and put some roosts in there (I was thinking of leaving the center support for the middle drawer in place for a roost, or replacing it with something else to serve that purpose if it is too thin or splintery for that.
What do you think - would it work, assuming it is real wood, not particle board? I would plan on urethaneing it - and it would be in the run, but in the part that has a roof. I figure that later, if I don't have broody that needs it, I can just leave the hardware covered 'door' of the second drawer space open ( hinge UP) so hens can lay in there at other times of the year. If it is a good idea, I could also put a roost on top of the bureau for another place for everyone to perch. Am I crazy, or do you think this is a good idea/would work???
#1 UNCLE!!!! I think @RebeccaBoyd has jinxed me! I usually have 2 or 3 broodies a year, and 1 or 2 that 'think about it'. Not this year. Someone definitely put hormones in our well water. I presently have 11 that are either actively incubating eggs (or, golf balls
) or brooding chicks at the moment - and that isn't counting my WR girl who has already turned her chicks loose! While I wouldn't mind too much - I just have no place to keep them all safe AND make sure others don't kick them off the nests.and #2: Is this a crazy idea or not???
On my way home today I saw a dresser for free by the curb, I started thinking - and if it is still there tomorrow AND it is real wood, not particle board, maybe I could make it into a broody hut??? ( it is set up like this one - 2 full drawers and 2 small drawers) I was thinking of taking the middle drawer out, and putting a hinged hardware cloth covered frame over that opening. Taking the 'face' off the bottom drawer, reattaching it with hinges so it 'opens down' like a ramp, and is secured up on the sides with either these or these with carabiners. I was thinking that around the interior edge of the bottom drawer I would need to fasten 2X2s or 2X3s to keep the rats from crawling up into it between the drawer and bureau framing. I could keep the top 2 smaller drawers intact for storage or remove them too, & cover with hardware cloth, and put some roosts in there (I was thinking of leaving the center support for the middle drawer in place for a roost, or replacing it with something else to serve that purpose if it is too thin or splintery for that.
What do you think - would it work, assuming it is real wood, not particle board? I would plan on urethaneing it - and it would be in the run, but in the part that has a roof. I figure that later, if I don't have broody that needs it, I can just leave the hardware covered 'door' of the second drawer space open ( hinge UP) so hens can lay in there at other times of the year. If it is a good idea, I could also put a roost on top of the bureau for another place for everyone to perch. Am I crazy, or do you think this is a good idea/would work???
