Coop light problems!

[tixy]

I would love to have a go at breeding as I want to add to my brood, Last summer one of my hens went broody and hoping that the same will happen this year.

 

I am a bit confused as to how there is only one nesting box and chicks would never get up and down the ladder ! woud I have to move the broody hen into eg the shed in a box and let her out daily and look after her separate or what ?

 

Would appreciate all your advice.

[Redwing]

The broody needs to be separate for about a month for brooding - a week to ensure she has settled and will stay on the eggs (you use normal eggs or pretend eggs in this week) then the fertile eggs go in and its three weeks for the chicks to hatch - a rabbit hutch is ideal accomodation for this stage or a large cardboard box (at least 50 x 100cm) in a fox proof garage would be ok but wherever she is it needs to be quite dark in the 'sitting area'

 

After that she needs to stay with the chicks for around 6 weeks - during this time they will need a bigger space so a run on that rabbit hutch will do - a wide shallow solid ramp with edges will be needed if the rabbit hutch isnt level with the ground (but common sense says dont use a rabbit hutch that is too high)

 

After that the broody can be reintroduced to the others but the chicks will still need to live separate until they are about 18 weeks old, they may well out grow the rabbit hutch and run during this time (depending on how many there are) so you'll need a contingency plan

 

Also do think about the fact that you will hatch some cockerels and make sure you have plans for any before you embark on hatching