Brooder requirements

[anniemary]

I am so excited! I just order 20 BO and 2 Roos from Ideal. Our coop is 13 x 9, so this will give our chicks a little over 5 sq feet of coop space. I think this is adequate.

But, how much brooder space do I need for these chicks? I heard .5 square ft. per chick, but this doesn't seem like much when they get a little older.

Also, Ideal will probably throw in a few roos for warmth. What if I don't want them? Can you raise just a rooster without a hen? If so, I'll see if my brother wants one.

 

[Judy]

Here are the figures I have: .5 sf per bird up to 4 weeks, 1 sf per bird from 4-12 weeks, 3 sf per bird from 12-16 weeks, then 4 sf per bird.

Yes, you can keep a rooster separate, but there is no reason to for the first few months, until they start crowing and trying to mate.

If you ordered 20 females, chances are you will get a rooster or two in that group as well.

If your weather is anything like ours, you should be able to put them in the coop at 4 or 5 weeks, even without a light.

 

[anniemary]

Thank you so much! We live in MN but I think our weather will be warm enough to put them in the coop at 4 or 5 weeks in August.