How big should the brooder be?

[Charlene]

I'm just getting my first set of day old chcik from Ideal in a month or so. I'm getting 5 Barred Rock pullets, 12 cornish crosses and 8 bantams, so 25 total. How big a brooder do I need? Also, is it okay to mix the bantams and standard size chicks? Can they all be raised together?

 

[fastpat]

Quote:
You need about 1/2 sq. ft. per chick, at some point (I forget when) you'll need to to expand that to one sq. ft.. Eventually, you'll need between 3 and 4 sq. ft. of coop for adult birds.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
I wouldn't combine the cornish crosses with the other chicks...especially the bantams. The cornish are eating and pooping machines.