How big should I build?

[jthornton]

Make it tall enough for you to be comfortable working in there with good ventilation and large overhangs on the roof to block rain.

JT

 

[SueT]

once the hens start incubating the eggs.

What kind of hens are you getting? Not all hens are reliable broodies. Many never go broody.

 

[JB8907]

I've got RIR Leghorn black Maran and some creamlegbar/EE mix. I have EE roo black Maran roo and at least 2 roo of the CL/EE mix. I need/want a RIR and LH roo to. I've considered getting a couple really broody type hens to do the work.... Like a silkie but I honestly think their just ugly and I don't like the feathered foot thing.

 

[JB8907]

Make it tall enough for you to be comfortable working in there with good ventilation and large overhangs on the roof to block rain.

JT

It will be 8' on the low side. And go up to 9.5 or 10 on the high side. I'm thinking 16" over hang on front and sides and 12" on the back.

 

[aart]

I've got RIR Leghorn black Maran and some creamlegbar/EE mix. I have EE roo black Maran roo and at least 2 roo of the CL/EE mix. I need/want a RIR and LH roo to. I've considered getting a couple really broody type hens to do the work.... Like a silkie but I honestly think their just ugly and I don't like the feathered foot thing.

You may need more than 2 breeding pens....and an incubator...and some brooder/grow-out pens.

 

[JB8907]

My boys won't have access to the ladies unless I decide. I'll let the hens raise them with the egg layers until I can tell roos from hens and cull out what I want to. All my extra roos and some pullets will be in the freezer and my old hens will once they stop laying.