Brood box

[Storms73]

Can I use a 5 gallon bucket as a brew box for a broody hen two have baby chicks

 

[Noraaaaa]

It should work fine. Make sure to add some shavings or staw into it to keep warm. If you bird is very large I would try and do something bigger.

 

[DobieLover]

Welcome to BYC.

Can I use a 5 gallon bucket as a brew box for a broody hen two have baby chicks

Are you talking about a nest box in which to set her fertile eggs? Do you already have a flock of chickens? A setting hen needs to be comfortable as she will be on the nest for 3 weeks. It is best that she have a bowl shaped base with a thick layer of fluffy bedding for her nest.
I always advise people to have a semi-private area for a hen to set so that she is still within eyesight of the flock and can still interact with them during the incubation when she comes off the nest for her broody breaks. You would need to ensure to mark her eggs and inspect her nest daily to remove any eggs another hen has deposited there.
The day before the eggs are due to hatch, I remove mom from the nest later in the day so she can have one more good break before the chicks arrive and I close her off from being able to leave the brood area. Once she has hatched her clutch, she will leave the nest and start scratching around for the chicks. Once the chicks are very mobile and can easily follow her, I open up her brood area so she can either leave or the flock can come visit.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sometimes the baby chicks that hatch first like to climb up on Mama's back. I had one that hatched in a cat litter bucket, the top was 7-1/2" x 11-1/2". She was sitting so close to the side that when the chicks fell off they missed the nest and went to the coop floor. Four different times I picked a chick up and put it back in the nest. Probably the same chick each time. I don't know how big your hen is or how close she is to the sides of the bucket. This would be my concern.

 

[Storms73]

Welcome to BYC.

Are you talking about a nest box in which to set her fertile eggs? Do you already have a flock of chickens? A setting hen needs to be comfortable as she will be on the nest for 3 weeks. It is best that she have a bowl shaped base with a thick layer of fluffy bedding for her nest.
I always advise people to have a semi-private area for a hen to set so that she is still within eyesight of the flock and can still interact with them during the incubation when she comes off the nest for her broody breaks. You would need to ensure to mark her eggs and inspect her nest daily to remove any eggs another hen has deposited there.
The day before the eggs are due to hatch, I remove mom from the nest later in the day so she can have one more good break before the chicks arrive and I close her off from being able to leave the brood area. Once she has hatched her clutch, she will leave the nest and start scratching around for the chicks. Once the chicks are very mobile and can easily follow her, I open up her brood area so she can either leave or the flock can come visit.

I just noticed your reply. Yes, I do already have chickens and yes, I’m talking about a booty hen. They’re not there yet just I’m trying to get information ahead of time. That’s all it will be my first time doing it to raise my own chicks from eggs.