Enough space?

[Chickmama1111]

I have my chicks in a 42 x 28 large dog cage and lined the wall walls with cardboard and use pine bedding. Is this enough space for 12 chicks that are 3 to 4 weeks old? And at what point do I need to give them a larger habitat and how much space per chick at what ages?

 

[kattabelly]

I'm guessing 42 x 28 is inches?

Some people might have different views but imo that's nowhere near enough space. By three weeks old, they need room to run around and start to fly. If they're indoors they shouldn't need much, if any, additional heat by that age either - especially when there's a dozen of them to snuggle up and keep each other warm.

For comparison, I have a corner of a room sectioned off that's about 80 x 60 inches. The five chicks in there right now are 23 days old and that's only enough space because they're spending lots of time outdoors. I couldn't take them out yesterday for various reasons and they were really bored and stressed out.

Do you already have a larger space available, or a plan for where you're going to put them next?

 

[Chickmama1111]

I'm guessing 42 x 28 is inches?

Some people might have different views but imo that's nowhere near enough space. By three weeks old, they need room to run around and start to fly. If they're indoors they shouldn't need much, if any, additional heat by that age either - especially when there's a dozen of them to snuggle up and keep each other warm.

For comparison, I have a corner of a room sectioned off that's about 80 x 60 inches. The five chicks in there right now are 23 days old and that's only enough space because they're spending lots of time outdoors. I couldn't take them out yesterday for various reasons and they were really bored and stressed out.

Do you already have a larger space available, or a plan for where you're going to put them next?

Yes, yes

 

[Chickmama1111]

Correct in inches. My future plan is to take this octagon baby gate system, put a tarp down for a floor and pine bedding

 

[kattabelly]

Correct in inches. My future plan is to take this octagon baby gate system, put a tarp down for a floor and pine bedding

How big is that and how high are the sides? Will it be somewhere that'll still be safe if they get out?

 

[Chickmama1111]

How big is that and how high are the sides? Will it be somewhere that'll still be safe if they get out?

It will be a room with the door shut because I have two large dogs. The octagons about 192 inches wide and 3 feet high.

 

[Appalachickens]

I have nine chicks (some almost 3 weeks, some almost a week old) in about twice that much space - 87 x 52 inches, and even the tiny ones use it to practice flying. I think after a week, they really need a little more room.

 

[Chickmama1111]

I have nine chicks (some almost 3 weeks, some almost a week old) in about twice that much space - 87 x 52 inches, and even the tiny ones use it to practice flying. I think after a week, they really need a little more room.

 

[Chickmama1111]

Thank you, everybody! I think they will be much happier in the space that I just created!! This was my future plan but from their behavior over the last few days and reading your posts they definitely need more space NOW!!! I’ll post another picture once they’re inside

 

[Appalachickens]

That looks good. Might want to drape netting or something over it - they can fly higher than you'd imagine.