Another brooder question

[Kim_1970]

My chicks are currently 1 1/2 weeks old.
They are starting to get a little crowded in their 54 gal tub and can definitely fly out over the top already... its only 16" deep.
There are 11 of them and my DH is going to build a larger plywood box to house them in until they are ready to go outside.
Ideally.... what should be the size that will hold 11 until they are old enough for the coop?
He was thinking 4' x 6' x 2'

If it matters, they are in our spare bedroom which usually maintains a nice warm temp.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know when you consider them ready to go to the coop, but a 6' x 4' with a wire top so they cannot fly out should be plenty big enough. You could get by with less room, but a 6' x 4' x 2' is a pretty efficient use of standard building material sizes and if you have the room, I say go for it. Too much room is hardly ever a problem. And next time you may have more than 11 chicks.

 

[Kim_1970]

Since I live in MD on the windy Eastern Shore, I wasnt planning on putting them outside in the coop until the end of May - which would make them about 8 weeks old.
Hoping that by the end of May nighttime temps should be ok.

 

[Keri78]

They'll be fine by then! I live in NJ and I put my silkie babies outside at 6 wks old with o problems at all and that was in March. I did have three bantam hens in with them for warmth at night....but by May you'll be FINE! Have you thought about a large rubbermaid tote...and then rigging the lid so it has a screen in it? Lots of people do this...works GREAT! But the box would work too as long as it has a lid...chicken wire or screening works well...Blessings, Keri