Housing for 42 birds just to grow out

Mylied · Feb 6, 2017

I got 42 cockerels for free from a hatchery. I don't know exactly what I was thinking since I've never had that many chickens at once. Anyway, I'm raising them out for meat. The guys said it'd be about 14-16 weeks when they are ready. They are a mixed bunch of breeds. About how much space would they need for just 3 1/2 months?

3riverschick · Feb 7, 2017

Mylied said:
I got 42 cockerels for free from a hatchery. I don't know exactly what I was thinking since I've never had that many chickens at once. Anyway, I'm raising them out for meat. The guys said it'd be about 14-16 weeks when they are ready. They are a mixed bunch of breeds. About how much space would they need for just 3 1/2 months?

2 sq. ft. per bird to 3 1/2 mos. for Light Sussex.
what I did for my Light Sussex was to get 3x thick cardboard watermelon corrals. Also called gaylords. Each is 15 sq. ft. I kept 6-7 birds in each one. grew them out to 3 1/2 months with no problems. Set a cheap tarp on the garage floor. Set the Gaylord on the tarp. Fill with 3-4 inches of white bale pine shaving from tractor supply. Put feeders and waterers on raised platforms to keep chips out of them. Rig chicken wire roof which an be opened to do feed and water. I just cut wire with 5 inch overlap on all sides. Edged with duct tape to protect my hands. weighted edges, laid across top and laid 2x4's across the wire to hold in place. No problms with pecking or cannabilism.
Best,
Karen

Housing for 42 birds just to grow out

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