Brooding Bantams refresher!

[Celtic Hill]

It's been over 10 years since I've raised chickens. I need a refresher!

I plan on using a 106qt tote for brooding, what would be an appropriate amount of bantams to brood in that size and how long would it take them to outgrow it?

 

[Ridgerunner]

From a quick search a 106 quart tote is around 45 cm (18 in) x 86 cm (34 in). I'll use those dimensions. Instead of blindly converting square feet into chicks (using rules of thumb), I'll try to go by what I've seen. Most rules of thumb don't consider age anyway.

I have never raised bantams, just full-sized chicks. And my brooder is much larger than that, about 4 times as large. I think a larger brooder is a key factor here. I've found that females take less space than males. Males grow faster and can have a different temperament, even as chicks. I assume your bantams are unsexed? Your feeder and waterer will take up some room. Not sure how you are going to provide heat, that may or may not be a factor. I let mine out of the brooder at 5 weeks so my experience is limited to that age.

There are a lot of unknowns but I'd be OK with 9 (maybe 10) bantams in that brooder until they are 5 weeks old. You may be able to get away with more than that or a bit longer but that's what I would plan as a maximum.

 

[Celtic Hill]

From a quick search a 106 quart tote is around 45 cm (18 in) x 86 cm (34 in). I'll use those dimensions. Instead of blindly converting square feet into chicks (using rules of thumb), I'll try to go by what I've seen. Most rules of thumb don't consider age anyway.

I have never raised bantams, just full-sized chicks. And my brooder is much larger than that, about 4 times as large. I think a larger brooder is a key factor here. I've found that females take less space than males. Males grow faster and can have a different temperament, even as chicks. I assume your bantams are unsexed? Your feeder and waterer will take up some room. Not sure how you are going to provide heat, that may or may not be a factor. I let mine out of the brooder at 5 weeks so my experience is limited to that age.

There are a lot of unknowns but I'd be OK with 9 (maybe 10) bantams in that brooder until they are 5 weeks old. You may be able to get away with more than that or a bit longer but that's what I would plan as a maximum.

Thank you! That is so helpful.