cage sizes

[Irishhenman]

Hi, I am going to get a shed to help me breed my chickens. My plans are to have 8 cages in it for keeping chicks, broodies, show birds before shows and sick birds. My question is what size should the cages be. I was thinking about 2.5'x2.5'x2.5' but I am starting to wonder is that a bit small. The cages would be on opposite walls of the shed and in stacks (for want of a better word) of two screwed into the wall.
Thanks

 

[SD Bird Lady]

What types of birds do you intend to raise/show? Bantam or Large fowl? Leghorn vs Orpington vs Brahma

 

[Irishhenman]

large fowl sulmtalers, barnevelders and orpington

 

[thomasboyle]

Definitely depends on the size of chickens you are raising. I have leghorns, rhode islands, mallard and pekins and I keep my eyes open at yard sales and Craigslist for dog crates, the type made of heavy black wire fencing. I can usually get them for around $10 or so. The better ones have 2 doors, one on the end, and one on the side. I have 8 of them in different sizes to house sick or injured birds, or chicks and ducklings etc. Something 30x30x30 should be plenty big for 1 adult, or more babies. The smallest dog crate I keep an adult chicken in is 24x30x20. This is big enough to have a roosting area, nesting area and feeding area. I picked up a number of small 1 cup hanging plastic feeder cups at Petco for a couple bucks each and use them for food and water. They hang off the wire walls and work well. I make my roosts from 2x3 wood, and notch the ends so they fit in between the bars on the opposite sides of the crate.

 

[Irishhenman]

I will be making the cages myself, I was just wondering how big they should be. I him I will go ahead with 2.5' so