Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[L Marques]

My girl sheeila has been put on some fertile eggs yesterday as she is broody, so we have put her in a cat box and we have put this in their run with the others, is this ok? The cat box is shut as she has food and water inside but I'm worried for her I case she needs to poo

[sjp]

she shouldn't be shut in until day 18. she will need her own coop ( hence the term broody coop ) and run when the chicks hatch plus the chick/growers will need it until they are old enough to go in with the adults normally about 16-21 weeks old. I free range mine with the mob from about 3 -5 days old with mom of cause then once mom has gone back in with the adults. the growers get to free range with the mob the boys normally get put on lock down when they become a pest to the hens and don't take the hint when the hens give they a good kicking

[The Dogmother]

she shouldn't be shut in until day 18. she will need her own coop ( hence the term broody coop ) and run when the chicks hatch plus the chick/growers will need it until they are old enough to go in with the adults normally about 16-21 weeks old. I free range mine with the mob from about 3 -5 days old with mom of cause then once mom has gone back in with the adults. the growers get to free range with the mob the boys normally get put on lock down when they become a pest to the hens and don't take the hint when the hens give they a good kicking

 

Agreed, she needs to be encouraged to pop off the nest a couple of times per day to poo and eat/drink. The broody and little 'uns will need their own coop and run until the chicks are big enough to stick up for themselves.