Brooder size

[llcardinale]

I've had over 20 full sized fowl chicks in a 3' x 6' brooder until they were 5 weeks old. Sometimes there were more pullets, sometimes more cockerels. The boys do take more room at that age. For enrichment they had food, water, and a perch about 18" long and 3-1/2" high. It was certainly getting crowded, they were ready to get out.

I do believe the more room the better up to a point, but I also believe in observing them to see if there are behavioral problems. With some of these broods it was definitely time to let them out.


Sounds perfectly normal, for pullets as well as cockerels. Some of that is establishing the pecking order as mentioned. I think some is just playing, like when a group run from one end of the brooder to the other like they are in a wave.

I do not believe in those square feet per chicken numbers you read about on here. You are dealing with living animals and each animal can be different. They are good guidelines and will keep you out of trouble most of the time but not all. Each chicken has its own personality and sometimes they just require more room than the guidelines give them. Sometimes the guidelines are overkill.

With all of that said, I do not expect you to have any problems with space. You should have plenty, which makes your life less stressful. Good luck, I think you will have it.

 

[llcardinale]

I've had over 20 full sized fowl chicks in a 3' x 6' brooder until they were 5 weeks old. Sometimes there were more pullets, sometimes more cockerels. The boys do take more room at that age. For enrichment they had food, water, and a perch about 18" long and 3-1/2" high. It was certainly getting crowded, they were ready to get out.

I do believe the more room the better up to a point, but I also believe in observing them to see if there are behavioral problems. With some of these broods it was definitely time to let them out.


Sounds perfectly normal, for pullets as well as cockerels. Some of that is establishing the pecking order as mentioned. I think some is just playing, like when a group run from one end of the brooder to the other like they are in a wave.

I do not believe in those square feet per chicken numbers you read about on here. You are dealing with living animals and each animal can be different. They are good guidelines and will keep you out of trouble most of the time but not all. Each chicken has its own personality and sometimes they just require more room than the guidelines give them. Sometimes the guidelines are overkill.

With all of that said, I do not expect you to have any problems with space. You should have plenty, which makes your life less stressful. Good luck, I think you will have it.

Thank you so much for your feedback. I received the 7x7x7 pop-up tent today. Part of me thinks it's a bit much, but when I see them all excited and tearing around, I worry that they'll hurt one another, so tomorrow I'll move them into the pop-up. I'm sure they've got a pecking order, but there are also several strong personalities so at this point

 

[llcardinale]

Thank you so much for your feedback. I received the 7x7x7 pop-up tent today. Part of me thinks it's a bit much, but when I see them all excited and tearing around, I worry that they'll hurt one another, so tomorrow I'll move them into the pop-up. I'm sure they've got a pecking order, but there are also several strong personalities so at this point

Thank you so much for your feedback. I received the 7x7x7 pop-up tent today. Part of me thinks it's a bit much, but when I see them all excited and tearing around, I worry that they'll hurt one another, so tomorrow I'll move them into the pop-up. I'm sure they've got a pecking order, but there are also several strong personalities so at this point

(continued) it's not apparent. I believe your point about individual differences is very relevant, and the dynamics of a particular grouping can also make all the difference as well. Thanks again.

 

[thecatumbrella]

At this point four can be easily held, but the other breed acts like they're being tortured.

Oh, I have several of these. They're fine to jump up on their terms, but if I need to handle them, they make it sound like I'm ripping limbs off.

We did 7 bantams for 7 weeks in a 3x8, and you do start to feel bad after a bit. Yours will love the pop up! Please post some pics of them scamping around in their new digs

 

[llcardinale]

Thank you for sharing your experience, and for the validation. I post photos soon. Thanks again.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you for your feedback. Wow, 500 sq. ft. is an amazing amount of space. My coop will only be 6x5x6 for nine chickens, with the addition of a 220 sq. ft. run. It does seem that at almost four weeks they could take on just about anything within safe boundaries. Makes sense to me that the more space the better. I had only ordered six chicks, but was mailed 10 (--surrendered one to my vet, who is attempting to heal her splayed leg. If she survives she will add her to her own small flock). They've all survived and are healthy, for which I'm grateful, but now I have less space for them than I'd planned.

I built for 12 birds, integrated in batches over time, with very little free range time. So because I integrate early (chicks start having face to face time with adults around 10-14 days) the "extra" space is very useful for my set up.

It sounds like your run is ready, even if the coop is not, is that correct? If so you can still put them outside in the run for daytime, but if you put their brooder out there with them, with food and water inside, they should return to it at dusk, and then you can just take them back into the house or garage at night. I have never had issue getting chicks to return to their brooder at dusk (though mine are raised outside) so might be something to try, if you'd like to give them even more room.