Brooder Size?

[WildflowerJLH]

Talk to me about how much space I need per chick. When we grew our first chicks, we only had 6 or 8 at a time. They were only indoors for about 5 weeks, since it was late summer. Dearest husband wants to get 25 broilers at the end of February. I am guessing that they will need to stay indoors for 7-8 weeks. So how much space should I need?

 

[midget_farms]

I had 25 last year. They started out in 2 tubs & after a week they moved to 4 tubs.

after 2 more weeks I moved them all to a 5ft x 5ft brooder pen built out of old storm windows in the garage. I had 4 brooder lights in there for them so it was warm enough.

In any case - they will need lots more room as they grow out.

 

[WildflowerJLH]

Do you have any pictures? We just used a big box for the few chicks we had, along with chicken wire on the top to keep cats out. Also used a heat lamp. How big were the tubs that you used?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Half a square foot per chick for the first two weeks. A square foot from weeks to four. Two square feet from four to eight by which time they should be out of the brooder.

 

[Judy]

Um, I'm afraid you will really regret brooding broilers indoors, especially for that long.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I missed where he said broilers. I definitely would NOT brood them indoors past two weeks. Even then you're going to need to change the bedding often.

 

[WildflowerJLH]

OK, so how do I keep them warm outside after 2 weeks? Daytime temps here will mostly be in the 50's, night time in the 20's. Would putting them out for the day, but bringing them in for the night work? I would put the heat lamp out with them.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
People have been brooding outdoors for generations. Depends what your facilities are. I won't brood any chicks indoors, have 7 out there under a broody now that were hatched yesterday, but I realize that is a different thing.

Do you have a garage? Coop? Tell us about what your setup is.

 

[WildflowerJLH]

I have both a garage and a "workshop." By indoors, I do not mean in my house. Indoors, just means within 4 walls, protected from predators, wind, weather extremes, etc.

I have a coop for my layers (8 hens + 1 roo). We are considering the "do-ability" of 25 broilers. If we do, I have decided on freedom rangers. I want to order them by mid-March, so we can dispatch and process them before our family vacation at the end of June.

 

[WildflowerJLH]

BTW, even though we live in southern CA, we live at elevation. We run the risk of frost and even snow well into May. My biggest concern is warmth.