Going to try raise meat birds

[buggie]

Like the title says. I have a 4ft by 4ft brooder box how many can I raise in that amount of space? I don't want to build anything until I see how these go. Thanks

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

how long do you intend to leave them in the brooder?

 

[buggie]

Until they are ready to be sent to freezer camp

 

[BarefootMom]

Meaties are really messy and grow really fast. My meaties are only 3 weeks old (today) and are in a 8x8 coop-- they have plenty of room now, but I figure 4-5 weeks they will pretty fill up the space. I have 25. I had them in a 3x3 coop up until 2 days ago and they were tight. They eat and drink a lot so you have to factor in feeders and waters. I am using a 5 gallon waterer and they drink it all in about 3 days.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

4 maybe 6

 

[lotzahenz]

I too would say 4. At 3 weeks old, I could comfortably fit 12 in my 4 X 10 brooder, but it was getting so messy and it was stinky. I moved them onto wire, but that was a disaster when a sudden drop in temps and a huge storm blew in. You can fit more on the wire if you hang the feeders, but it MUST be inside (my mistake) as even with a tarp they got wet and chilled. You usually keep these about 7 to 8 weeks as broilers. If you had a run for them, or put them outside in a pen during the day, you could have maybe 6 or even 8. I would buy the 6 minimum if you must and process at the 3lb weight if you get too crowded, and have some of those wonderful cornish game hens. Yep, that is a plan.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

a winner of a plan!

 

[Dogfish]

The 4x4 brooder will hold many more meaties if your plan is to move them to a tractor at 2-3 weeks. I had 6 in one up to 9 weeks. Have to add shavings daily. Did it as a test last winter. They turned out to be MUCH larger than the ones in the cold, by about a pound.

 

[LilyD]

When we ordered our meaties last year they told us that you should have a 2ft by 2ft brooder for 50 new baby meaties

Once they are 4 weeks old though I would suggest moving them outside with a run in to keep them warm and prevent them from being chilled. That's the only trick because they grow so quick you have to have a larger space ready for them once they get larger because the brooder won't hold them all anymore (and they do get extremely messy and stinky). It's better if they are outside rather than in once they get big.

 

[DogandPonyShow]

Quote:
That seems like a very small brooder for 50 - I have a 3'x4' brooder with 14 Cornish X and 5 laying pullets (all nearly 4 weeks old), and it was tight already a week ago. As it was, I was refilling the 1-gal waterer (anything else took up too much room) and putting down new shavings every night. I'd put everyone outside, strip the brooder, and re-bed it every weekend. They just got outside to the 5'x7' tractor (husband didn't understand that I meant it when I asked for 5'x10') and I can see where that will be a squeeze by the time they're all butcher weight.