How Big a Brooder for 6 Chicks? Or, Alternately, ...

[3KillerBs]

I'm trying to figure out all this chicken stuff.

How big a brooder would be needed to raise 6 chicks?

Or, alternately, how many chicks could you raise in one of the common storage totes that are the size of a laundry basket?

 

[cafarmgirl]

Not very many because they will outgrow that space very, very quickly. Especially after you add in the feeder and waterer. Chicks need an adequate amount of space to move about and exercise. You might check around and see if you can find a large box, like a large appliance (i.e.refridgerator) box or melon box. I've also used toilet tissue boxes, cut the ends off and duct taped them together. Something along those lines will have enough room for 6 chicks until they are ready for their coop at about 5 weeks.

 

[saellis]

I used a large plastic bin for 6 chicks and they quickly outgrew it so I bought another one and connected them with a cardboard/duct tape tunnel. Now the have one bin for feed and water and another with a roost bar for sleeping. Cozy two room chick apartment!

 

[Brandi Leigh]

I used a large plastic bin for 6 chicks and they quickly outgrew it so I bought another one and connected them with a cardboard/duct tape tunnel. Now the have one bin for feed and water and another with a roost bar for sleeping. Cozy two room chick apartment!

That is sooo cool! Good thinking!

 

[adstoffels]

I have a few questions. How warm do 3-5 week old chicks need to be? When do they need a roosting bar? When can I introduce them to my flock of layin hens (I have six fully grown chickens)

 

[saellis]

I think you can introduce a small roosting bar any time now. I put one in my brooder at 4 weeks and they've all taken to it quite well although they were afraid of being near it at first. As for introducing them to the flock, you have to be careful how you do it since smaller birds are at risk from the older ones. I've only just started raising chickens and haven't had to deal with this yet so I can't offer any advice but there are many posts here about that subject. Try searching for "Integrating New Chicks"

 

[adstoffels]

Thanks. I put up a roosting bar and for two days they haven't touched it by I think they are cold as we just got a cold front with rain. They are staying close to the heater lamp

 

[OlivesMama]

This is what we've done for our chicks and it's worked quite well:

We have 2 large plastic bins that are connected in the middle and screwed together. One is for food and water, the other for roosting/sleeping and is covered with a lid and the other (with the heat lamp over it) is covered with chicken wire. They will self-regulate and go to either side, depending on how hot or cold they are.

I also added a few bricks to the bottom of the roosting bin. It absorbs heat from the lamp and gets them up off the bottom of the bin if they want. I added roosting sticks the first week and it took them a few days to get used to it. I just went and checked on them, they are all lined up on one stick! Too cute.

My newest chicks (5 days old) have bricks to perch on and that's where they are most of them time. These kinds of things seem to keep them happy, rather than just shavings, food, and water. It gives them something to do, and then something to leap off of when they start to practice flying.

Good luck with your new babies. The learning curve is steep, but once you get it down it is so much fun!

 

[Jeanna Marie]

I have a few questions. How warm do 3-5 week old chicks need to be? When do they need a roosting bar? When can I introduce them to my flock of layin hens (I have six fully grown chickens)

My chicks aee just a week oldand they already use their 4" roosting bar.

 

[Andilyn]

How high did you put the roosting bar for the chicks?