Need ideas for a temporary coop for a broody hen

[JakeMate]

Just like the subject says. I need to separate a broody hen and I'm looking to put her in something with a mesh floor to keep her cool and not let her get too comfy.

I don't want to get too elaborate or spend a lot of money so I was hoping y'all had some creative ideas for a quick, down and dirty coop. It'll be outside so it has to be fairly secure. I know people have used dog kennels or totes for temporary coops but the need for a mesh bottom is kinda throwing me.

 

[mnferalkitty]

Dog house you can find them free on Craigs list

 

[Life is Good!]

I'm building one of these myself at this time...three broody hens, one hen's chicks have hatched already, the other two are due to hatch by 6/25...so the time crunch is ON!

I went to Menards. They have a couple of bins of mis-cut or odd end type woods. I lucked out (Thank you Lord!) and got all my framing materials (1x3's) for .29 each! The plywood odds n' ends weren't good, so I purchased real new plywood for the back, front and sides. Biggest expense was for the roofing - purchased a full sheet of corregated plastic roofing (too much for this project, but will likely be useful for others!). Hinges and latches too. Total cost - $58.10. Wohoo!

The overall dimensions are 2' wide x 4' long x 4' high (so I can put in a roost bar for an emergency coop as well as a broody coop). Build a basic frame of the 1x3's, cover with plywood, put on roof, build hinged doors, and viola we'll be done! Today, I got the frame done and the plywood on - stopped at the doors, as I'm contemplating different designs. I'll post pictures when I can tomorrow.

It's completely do-able. I've also made a mini-coop inside a PVC tractor out of a Suncast horizontal storage chest (meat birds in it now). The cost has risen dramatically for this, so I'm making something from scratch for the broody layers.

 

[thecoopbuilder]

A buddy of mine used pallets. Just go to a warehouse or something and get some free pallets. There is always some for free in town. We assembled his coop in 5 minutes and it worked great.

Good Luck

 

[bigred62806]

how about something like a sitting hen hut? it's a "A" frame style H 25 1/2 inches W 50 inches 18 inches deep and you put 2" slats front like 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches apart and if you need the mesh on the bottom put it on there by all means, if making it for a sitting hen leave 3 inches at the bottom before the 1st slat for the chicks when they hatch the back can be all wood for better protection from the elements. It can be made out of scrap wood which is the best part.
**********just remember you will need the front slat all the way down to the bottom if your putting mesh wire in the bottom

 

[JakeMate]

I ended up using the top half of my large dog kennel/carrier. It's one of those kennels that has two plastic halves. I took the top half, and covered the bottom with chicken wire and folded up the chicken wire for the door. I threw a small section of 2x4 in there for her to roost on. The whole thing is propped up a foot off the ground. The chicken wire is a bit too flexible so the floor isn't very flat when she walks around but it's not meant to be comfy and she'll only be in it for 2-3 days or until she snaps out of her broodiness.

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[justacouplemorechicks]

I use a dog kennel. The tray on the bottom is made to pull out for cleaning. I just remove the tray and set the kennel on the ground. I use chicken wire and cut to fit to make it a little more secure.