HOUSING FOR 1 MAMA WITH CHIX & 2 BROODIES

[KEarthman]

Hi!
We have a mama (who was brooding) and 2 of her 3plus week old chix she hatched in a small coop inside a pen outside. This coop is closed and has some room for them to run around. We now have 2 more hens who have gone broody!
Would it be ok to give 1 of the other broody hens a nest with eggs inside a large dog crate, and place that crate inside the same pen? The hens would be separate. If so, how about a crate for both of the new broodies inside this same pen?
We also have two 2 x 4 wooden brooders inside our office in our house. They could be used. We just figured it would be better for the hens to be outside. FYI-We have 64 incubated eggs due to hatch from May 19th-26th in the same office, but those chicks are pre-sold. So we think 1 of those inside brooder boxes would be enough to deal with the incubator chix. Would appreciate any input. Thanks!

 

[NatJ]

Hens with eggs or chicks can be pretty mean to other hens and to other chicks. So separating them from each other is probably safest.

Whether you can putting a broody in a closed dog crate, inside the pen with the hen & chicks, would depend on how large the space is. Each hen needs enough space for food & water, and to move around a bit (you don't want her pooping on the eggs!) The hen with chicks needs quite a bit more space than a hen that is sitting, because she & the chicks will want to move around more.