[Sparkle]

Hi there

Bit of a long shot.....
Does anyone know of somewhere in Essex I can get a cheapish small ark that I can use for my broody hen?
or (even more of a long shot!) does anyone want to lend me one for a month or so?!!

Also as this is first time with a broody can i just ask a question
I presume its best to put her somewhere separate fom the others- is that right?

Thanks
Sparkle

[Brambles]

Hi...  I can only speak for my own hens... they stay together and it has never been a problem... the broody girl gets quite protective of her space, but the others soon learn to keep clear of her, once a girl knows there  is no threat to her eggs she will settle quite happily.

[joyfull]

generally yes, the others may attack the little ones or even the mum whilst she was waiting for them to hatch. Is she already on her eggs or are you just getting ready for some eggs? If you haven't got the eggs yet as soon as you get your broody pen/ark/coup put her in it to see if she takes to being in there first, best do this at night so there is less disturbance.
My first stayed in the shed until her chicks were a week old and then went into a converted dog kennel and large dog cage for another two weeks, but my second was seperate from day one as her and her best friend always slept in a seperate coup. The best mate moved out voluntry into the main shed whilst the broody stayed in there.

[Foxy]

shame you are not closer to Bristol, I have a very small broody arc you would  be welcome to!

[agingchick]

Hi I made mine Its just a simple box and took me a day to do it
 

[Rubellite]

Elmstead Pets (down the road to Beth Chatto) have some small arks. Depends what you call cheap. Think the little one was just short of fifty pounds, can't remember how much the bigger one was......................................

[urban-chickens]

looks better than mine!

[woodside farm]

A rabbit hutch will do, the type with shelter on one side and mesh door on other.
You can always build a run around it when the chicks hatch.

Michelle

[Caralou]

That's just what I'm using Michelle. I have a rabbit ark so it has shelter and a run. You'll need to make your own door between housing and the run and I've added some extra mesh security even though it says fox proof - yes I'm paranoid!. Works great and can pick them up for £30-40 online. Enough space for mum and chicks until they are about 4 weeks old for large fowl (I'll be letting mum stretch her legs each day anyway)

[Sparkle]

Fantastic - thanks guys for all the suggestions - really appreciated
I'm off to look at the place down the road first and then if no luck then it's good to know a rabbit hutch will do!
Very impressed with the home made version too!
At the moment she is sitting on whatever eggs she can find and 2 stone ones but the fertilised ones from a friend should be here soon - I will settle her into her new abode and see if she is still broody and then we are ready to rock!
By the way everone says that broodys complain a lot and get really defensive when you grab eggs from under them etc - but mine just sits there silently and doesnt even try to peck me - is this normal?? She was the most skittish and scaredy of the bunch and I have a feeling she is just terrified of me!!
Sparkle

[joyfull]

mine both made a sort of growling noise at me  Yours may well be of a gentler temprement 

[Caralou]

One of mine just sat there looking confused and let me. The one currently sitting would give me a warning grumble but that's it.