Space Requirements for Broilers

[Silver Silkie]

Hi there! I plan to raise fifty broilers with my brother for a 4-H project. We plan to build a 12 x 6 coop for them. We'll be showing them at the county stock show after they are 6-8 weeks old. Is this enough room? Should we build the coop larger?
Thank you in advance.

 

[KCMOLisa]

I'm not an expert by any means, but I do think you need more space. If you plan to let them free range during the day, you might get by with such a small coop. If you are keeping them in that area all the time, they will be way too cramped. To visualize, tape a square on the floor that is 17 inches on all sides. That is all the space each chicken will have to move around. Also, these birds poop a lot. It will be a big mess in a small coop like that. Ideally, you want 4 square feet per bird. Maybe trying 25 broilers instead of 50 would be a good solution instead of building a bigger coop.

 

[Silver Silkie]

I'm not an expert by any means, but I do think you need more space. If you plan to let them free range during the day, you might get by with such a small coop. If you are keeping them in that area all the time, they will be way too cramped. To visualize, tape a square on the floor that is 17 inches on all sides. That is all the space each chicken will have to move around. Also, these birds poop a lot. It will be a big mess in a small coop like that. Ideally, you want 4 square feet per bird. Maybe trying 25 broilers instead of 50 would be a good solution instead of building a bigger coop.

I kept twenty-five last year, but that was because I was the only one doing the project. This year my brother wishes to join me in the project, but our county 4--H requires a minimum of 25 broilers per member who wishes to participate in the project, so I'll probably end up building bigger or building two coops. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Bladeguy]

Lisa gave you great advice....good luck to you and your brother.

 

[KCMOLisa]

It sounds like a fun project. Good luck! I'm getting 25 myself on Thursday!