New coop almost complete, want to hatch chicks now..

[Nate in WI]

OK, i've had egg layers for 8 years in a 8x8 coop, as many as 22 birds and as little as 8. It's worked out great. Now i built a new 12x16 shed with 1/2 partitioned off for a new coop. My 8x8 old coop has nesting boxes 24" high.. so the hens need to jump up and lay eggs, has worked fine. New coop has 2 nesting boxes only 10" from ground with ramp (and then 2 on top of those like 26" high)

Currently have 22 hens and a barred rock rooster

Now i want to seperate flock and have rooster in with 5 or so hens and hope one of those hens turn broody and then I'll put 10 fertilized eggs under her from the rooster flock.

Which coop should I use for broody hen (with rooster) to brood 21 days and raise chicks? Will she be more comfortable in old surroundings? But the old coop has 24" high nesting boxes.. new coop has 10" nesting boxes with ramp...

any ideas? thanks alot!

 

[Nate in WI]

Also, which hens are more likely to be better brooders (aka commit to sit for full 21 days)... the older hens or younger hens?

I've got 4 yr old regular brown hens.. 3yr ols barred rocks (and rooster is 3tsr old), 2 yr old sex links, 1 yr old buff orphs and 1yr old all black colored birds (not sure). Also 2 hens are 5 yr old americanas which I dont think are laying anymore...