Brooder size? Different ages?

[Blue Smoke]

I have 5 chicks coming the end of the month and I'm needing to set up a brooder for them. Normally 5 chicks wouldn't be an issue but I am also getting 15 more chicks about 3 weeks later. When I had chicks before I only got a few at a time so used small animal cages (like those used for guinea pigs/rabbits, with plastic bottom and wire top. I have a few ideas floating around for brooder, large dog crate (most feasible for just 5 chicks but probably not 20), plywood brooder with screen top, large kiddie pool with wire wrapped around to keep in, and a few others.

My first question is how big will it need to be to keep 20 chicks for a few weeks before I can move them outside?

2) I ordered an EcoGlow 20 but thinking I'll need to add another heat lamp as they grow, was it worth the $80?

3) What problems should I expect integrating 3 week old chicks with 1 day old chicks? Keeping them separate may be an issue.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Judy]

Supposedly, you can mix chicks of different ages as long as all are under 4 weeks. However -- I would supervise this carefully. I would guess that your heat source will be sufficient, although I do't own that roduct, and in the end it depends on each person's setup.

Here is a space chart I read here some time ago:

0.5 sq ft per chick, up to 2 weeks
1 sq ft per chick, 2 to 4 weeks
2.5 sq ft per chick, 4 to 8 weeks
then 4.0 sq ft per chick

To improve your chances of a successful integration, I'd recommend more than one food and water source, as much space as you can manage, some distractions in the invironment such as short perches, boxes to hide in, blocks to jump on, hanging food or objects that swing -- anything they will be curious about, and moved around frequently.. Also time outdoors may be the best deterrent to serious squabbles. You'll need a simple pen, lightweight temproary fence, etc. to contain them. They will be able to tolerate short periods outdoors at quite a young age, especially on a sunny, not too windy day.

It is possible that it will be a disaster and you will need to remove the 5 youngest ones, so having a plan would be good, just in case!

Good luck!