How much room do they need in the brooder? Cage? Help!

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Berritt

Berritt

Songster
9 Years
Mar 2, 2010
111
5
111
I have them in a little rubbermaid tub and it seems to be getting tight. I have 4 chicks and they are supposedly 3 weeks old, so ... how much space per chick do they need at what age? I want to make them something a little bigger, or buy a pet cage, but I want them to be able to stay in it until they go outside to their coop.

Would these cages work?
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753342
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3057123

I like this one because it's biggest, and tallest. I caught a baby sitting on top of the feeder today. I think they want to jump and fly.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3074864

Would they LIKE a ramp? Do they get bored? Can they climb up there, or is that a recipe for injury? I'm not handy with building things (I have no woodworking tools) so I'd just as soon buy a cage for them. Plus, I can use a cage if I ever have an injured bird, right?
 
Don't waste your money! Just go get a larger storage tote. They are great as brooders, and you can use it for other things when they're done with it. I would just add some larger things for them to jump on and play with. They love mirrors and bells, (small cat toy with a bell in it)
I hope this helps.... I'd just hate for you to spend a gynormous about of cash for something they won't use very long.
smile.png
Plus the storage totes protect them from drafts, & hold heat better.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
With the above pictured cages, the chicks could get a draft. A tote is cheaper and draft free. One of these threads has great pics. I used them as a model. Mine works great. Clear plastic so I could see them better. Cost $11 @ walmart.
 
As for space needed-I saw on here somewhere that they need

6 sq inches/chick for about the 1st month
1 sq ft/chick @ 4-8 weeks
2 sq ft/chick @ 8-12 weeks
3-4 sq ft/chick @ 12+ weeks
 
I am planning to use a cage very much like that first one, with the ramp. I wouldn't go out and buy one as a brooder, but I happened to have it already. I'm picking up my chicks tomorrow, so I'll let you know how it works!
 
I used the largest rubbermaid type container I could find at target. I made a screen top for it and it worked til they were several weeks old. Then I went to the grocery store and got a watermelon box. It had a wood bottom and great double sided walls. I used it until they were 6 weeks old and went to the coop outside. It was free for the taking.
 
I'm used the rubbermaid create as well till I got the brooder built (I have some woodworking skills lol) but the create worked great it was the biggest Wal-mart had I believe it was a 74 qrt (don't quote me on that) but A friend of mine always use a frig or watermellon box so I know those work just as well as anything. However the cages that you are looking at wouldn't work, the two with the slide/ramps would be to slick for them to get up and down plus once they get bigger (they grow super fast) the top of the cage and the landing there would not have enough room for them to fit into it.
So do not waste your money on them cages use the crates or a really tall big box.

Good luck to you
 
Last edited:
Thanks!

Now I need to figure out how to make a box cat proof. Ollie keeps looking at the chicks and licking his chops.
 

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