Can a Brooder be too big?

[FeatheredFamily6]

Hi! Firstly I want to say thank you for all the help along the process that people have given me with my chicks!

The brooder I have my chicks in was getting to small. They are now 7 weeks so I bought them a larger brooder until they go outside this upcoming Wednesday/ next week. During the day they were fine but now that it’s night time they have been so loud. Wondering if the brooder is too big now?

Lastly I have a chick who is really hurting the others but when I isolate her she keeps banging her head which is making her comb bleed. Any suggestions?

I attached the larger brooder which I also take outside for them so they can adjust to the outdoors and the other one is what I currently have this is them at 4 weeks so an old photo and the heater is no longer in there.

Thank you!

 

[Huntmaster]

What are your nighttime temps at 7 weeks old they could be outside already. Is their coop ready I would have them in that already. No such thing as too big only too small.

 

[NatJ]

The brooder I have my chicks in was getting to small. They are now 7 weeks so I bought them a larger brooder until they go outside this upcoming Wednesday/ next week. During the day they were fine but now that it’s night time they have been so loud. Wondering if the brooder is too big now?

Being loud at night might be because they are in an unfamilar place.

At 7 weeks, there is no such thing as "too big" for their brooder.

For the first few days, there is some chance of chicks wandering off and getting cold if their brooder is more than a certain amount big. By the end of the first week, normal healthy chicks should be fine with as much space as you can give them.

A common guideline is for chicks to have at least 2 square feet of space each, from about week 4 up to week 8, and then the guideline doubles to 4 square feet of space per chick. That is a recommended minimum, not maxium. You could easily go to ten times that size or larger without causing problems.

 

[FeatheredFamily6]

What are your nighttime temps at 7 weeks old they could be outside already. Is their coop ready I would have them in that already. No such thing as too big only too small.

They should be outside but the Hatchery keeps telling me 8 weeks so I planned to stick with that. They are extremely loud and I don’t know why.

 

[FeatheredFamily6]

Being loud at night might be because they are in an unfamilar place.

At 7 weeks, there is no such thing as "too big" for their brooder.

For the first few days, there is some chance of chicks wandering off and getting cold if their brooder is more than a certain amount big. By the end of the first week, normal healthy chicks should be fine with as much space as you can give them.

A common guideline is for chicks to have at least 2 square feet of space each, from about week 4 up to week 8, and then the guideline doubles to 4 square feet of space per chick. That is a recommended minimum, not maxium. You could easily go to ten times that size or larger without causing problems.

They are non stop loud like “screaming” for chickens. Do I just leave them and let them figure it out? I don’t know how else to help them. I put them in their old brooder thought they would calm down but they didn’t and was just piling on top of each other. They shouldn’t be cold the house is at 70 degrees F. What should I do?

 

[Huntmaster]

They should be outside but the Hatchery keeps telling me 8 weeks so I planned to stick with that. They are extremely loud and I don’t know why.

First night in new brooder? if so, it's just scary unfamiliar they will get over it. I would have them in their coop so I wouldn't have to hear it.

 

[NatJ]

They are non stop loud like “screaming” for chickens. Do I just leave them and let them figure it out? I don’t know how else to help them. I put them in their old brooder thought they would calm down but they didn’t and was just piling on top of each other. They shouldn’t be cold the house is at 70 degrees F. What should I do?

I would probably make sure they are safe, and leave them to scream it out.

I agree that 70 degrees should be warm enough for chicks that are 7 weeks old and have as many feathers as I see in your photo with them outdoors.

 

[FeatheredFamily6]

First night in new brooder? if so, it's just scary unfamiliar they will get over it. I would have them in their coop so I wouldn't have to hear it.

Yes they been in all day and been fine but first night in it. Wanted to give them more space before the coop.

 

[FeatheredFamily6]

I would probably make sure they are safe, and leave them to scream it out.

I agree that 70 degrees should be warm enough for chicks that are 7 weeks old and have as many feathers as I see in your photo with them outdoors.

Okay thank you! I put a small store bin in there with shavings incase they wanted somewhere to sleep that was warmer but it should be warm enough for them for sure. Thanks again!

 

[Huntmaster]

Yes they been in all day and been fine but first night in it. Wanted to give them more space before the coop.

They will be fine.