Cardboard Brooder

[stevin]

I have 25 chicks on their way. Hopefully they all make the journey.
They are day old RIR chicks.
Now i'm thinking of making a 3ft wide X 6ft long X 2ft high cardboard brooder.
Would this size accomodate 25 chicks for atleast 5 weeks till i can put them out in the coop where they will stay confined till the weather breaks or they are feathered out. whichever comes first....

 

[trilyn]

Go 4x8 and you'll have more than enough room, more is always better in my opinion. Gives them room to stretch out and remember you take away valuable floor space with the waterers, feeders and roosts. Just a thought, and good luck!!

 

[Lesa]

No matter how big you make it, you'll be praying for 5 weeks at about 3!! The dust production of these little birds is amazing! Enjoy!

 

[Chicken Little Farmer]

i had a 3x1 3/4 and three birds, and they outgrew that at four weeks!! you might want to make a temporary brooder like i did if you dont have a coop ready. if you do, put them in that during the day(depends on the temp outside) and put them back in the box at night


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(copy and paist this where you would put a website address)

tell me if it doesnt work, or if you want more pics of it.

 

[smallcitychick]

I was just reading a magazine article about this very thing this weekend. They recommended having a 1/2 sq ft. of space per chick when they are 0-4 weeks and 1 sq ft. of space in the brooder from 4-8 weeks of age. Hope that helps some!

 

[nancypo]

And with 2' high, you might need higher or net on top. One of mine can almost fly out, and she's about 2 1/2- 3 weeks old...

 

[stevin]

ah sweet....
thanks everyone, i think i have enough cardboard to go 4ft x 8ft or just shy....
smallcitychick, thanx for the sq ft ratio for chicks.
as for them flying out i'm gonna dig out the old window screens from the garage
and lay them on top.
thanks again

 

[dirtsaver]

Quote:
Same here Stevin...our cardboard brooder is about two feet tall and our chicks are about two weeks old. This weekend Eva walked into the room the chicks are in and one of the Australorps was sitting on top of the heatlamp shade looking around!

Luckily is was warm enough the lamp was off at the time! Needless to say,we dug out the window screens to cover the box.

Enjoy!
Larry