How Big for a Maternity Ward?

[sdm111]

2 foot square is a nice size. It gives the hen enough room to stretch but small enough that you can take them as they hatch or shortly thereafter without having to chase them with hands and stressing everything out

 

[3KillerBs]

2 foot square is a nice size. It gives the hen enough room to stretch but small enough that you can take them as they hatch or shortly thereafter without having to chase them with hands and stressing everything out

That's not big enough for the feeder and the waterer as well as the nest. I measured my equipment.

 

[Cinnamon Roll]

2 foot square is a nice size. It gives the hen enough room to stretch but small enough that you can take them as they hatch or shortly thereafter without having to chase them with hands and stressing everything out

That doesn’t give the mama hen enough room to move around.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The plan is a 2w x 4l x2h frame made from 2x2's with wire or plastic net walls and a hinged lid that's at least half solid (so that the others don't roost on top of it and poop on the broody), and a door in the side of the other end so mama and babies can get out in due time.

Sounds really good. Just remember to give yourself good access. You'll be feeding and watering, removing broody poops, cleaning the nest after hatch, and who knows what else.
Remember to use wire or netting with openings too small for the chicks to leave the broody hen's protection.

Precise details may vary depending on just what scrap lumber and plywood we happen to have.

We'll sit the frame down in the deep liter in a sheltered area. Should I make an actual nest box base from some 2x4's in a 12-14" square or will just giving her a pile of straw in the covered end work?

Purely depends on the hen. Some will be happy with a pile of straw, some will want more. I think it being dark helps a hen accept a move. She is looking for something kind of secure to hide her nest.

Lots of different strategies you could use. You could build a nest you could lock her in the first day of the move so she is really dark (remembering ventilation). They usually stay on the nest practically all day anyway, just coming off once a day, so this is not cruel. Just give her the option to come out at the end of the first day to eat, drink, and poop. She might or she might wait until the next morning.

You could put plywood on a corner to sort of create a darker enclosed looking corner. Or position it in the coop to get that kind of effect from coop walls. Maybe a "nest wall" on the side the light comes from. Or she may be fine even without a pile of straw. I can't remember what you put on your floor but I think it is deep litter. As long as it is dry she may use whatever is there. On the first day or two I'd be tempted to toss an old sheet or such over most of the wire to help keep it dark and maybe help her accept the move. Bottom line that hen could do about anything. You know how these women are when they are hopped up on hormones.

If you leave this in after she takes the chicks out she will probably return there at night to sleep. But if you take it out she will just take them somewhere on the coop floor to sleep, she does not need a nest.

Looking forward to the continuing saga. And good luck on your recovery.

 

[3KillerBs]

You could put plywood on a corner to sort of create a darker enclosed looking corner. Or position it in the coop to get that kind of effect from coop walls. Maybe a "nest wall" on the side the light comes from. Or she may be fine even without a pile of straw. I can't remember what you put on your floor but I think it is deep litter. As long as it is dry she may use whatever is there. On the first day or two I'd be tempted to toss an old sheet or such over most of the wire to help keep it dark and maybe help her accept the move. Bottom line that hen could do about anything. You know how these women are when they are hopped up on hormones.

I keep a bunch of random chunks of scrap metal roofing and odds and ends of scrap plywood handy for the chickens. If necessary, I'll lean something up against the nest area to darken it.

I figured on a solid roof there just to keep the others from sitting on top of it an pooping on her. They'll sit on it and poop anyway, but not into her nest.

 

[3KillerBs]

2 x2 x42" -- because that's the size of the scrap plywood DH has for the lid.

I'll take photos once it's completed.

 

[3KillerBs]

It has plastic net sides, which I know I'll have to replace later. But it will hold a broody.

 

[3KillerBs]

The lid lifts.

 

[NanaK]

Looks great!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I think you will find it bigger than it has to be, but that is much better than too small. Looking forward to your critique after this is over. It should do the job quite well.