National Agricultural Library

Brood Coops and Appliances

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Every boy and girl club member should provide a good coop for the mother hen and little chickens. If you do not have one already, it should be built before it is time for the little chicks to hatch. Many boys and girls build their coops in the wintertime so as to have them ready for use in the spring, and when this is done a nest box can be placed in the coop and used for the sitting hen. A properly constructed coop is a good place for hatching chickens as well as for brooding them. When chickens are hatched in the brood coop, however, the nest should be removed and the coop thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before putting the hen in with her chickens.

The two brood coops ("A" shaped and box coop as illustrated in figs. 1 and 2) can be made easily from dry-goods boxes or other available material. The "A "-shaped coop, as shown in the illustration on page 3, is collapsible so that it can be easily cleaned or stored away in winter. Or if desirable, it may be built stationary by simply nailing fast the top, back, and slats in front and placing it on a removable bottom. A wire-screen door (1-inch mesh or smaller) * of some sort should be provided, as shown in the illustration of the collapsible coop (fig. 1), to place over the front at night. This will prevent rats and other enemies from entering the coop and killing the chickens, and will also keep the little chicks confined early in the morning, when the grass is wet A hook or clasp should be put on the door to hold it firmly in place.

The mother hen should be confined to the brood coop until the chicks are weaned. This will give the little chicks a better start in life and prevent loss from storms, hawks, etc.

Floors should be constructed for the brood coops to rest on. This will keep the chickens dry, and if kept clean and well disinfected it will prevent losses from disease. It is a good plan to keep some dry sand or chaff on the floor under the coop. This helps to keep the coop dry and makes cleaning easy.

To make brood coops rain-proof, cover all cracks on the top, back, and sides with strips of wood or tin, or, better still, cover with roofing paper. Construct the brood coop so well that it can be used year after year.

Farmers' Bulletin

Number 1107