how can i tell if they've outgrown the brooder?

[ChickieNikki]

25 1 weekers in a big rubbermaid 4'x2'. i had a trampling death last night, but i think it was a freak accident. they are milling around and flitting about, but how will i know when to divide them and put half in another tub?

 

[Year of the Rooster]

You should know by now because of the death. Trampling is a sign they are too big. The more room they have the less likely they will get trampled, though it can happen. a 4x2 tub is too small for 25 babies now. I would separate half if you can, like you said.

 

[Becky_H]

Seconding the above. Get them separated into halves if you can. That's a lot of babies in one brooder.

 

[ChickieNikki]

This afternoon's project: bleach out and prepare another rubbermaid and transfer 10 of the peepers to their new home (it's a slightly smaller bin). I'm running out now to pick up more pellets, another feeder and waterer, and when I get home, I will rehome the girls. My son will be out there with them in the meantime to supervise their antics! Thanks for the advice...I feel badly that the little one got smooshed, if it was my fault for having too many int he brooder. The coop will be ready by Monday, and since the weather is warming during the day and since we can hang a heat lamp in there at night or if temps drop, I'll move them outside earlier than planned. Thanks for the help!

ETA: Question: once they're separated into two brooders, it seems sensible to mix them up--as in, don't leave the same chicks with one another as if they are 2 separate flocks, but give them all a chance in both bins, and mix up the combination of chicks, so they don't form a "chick clique" and have to be reintroduced. If the coop is done this weekend, this won't likely be an issue, I guess,but just wondering...probably overthinking...

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I agree, or get a larger tub.

 

[ChickieNikki]

They're separated, and they're very active and seem happy with their new arrangements. However, no matter how much room they have, they all seem to want to sleep right in front of the feeder! And one of them I watched step right over all the others as they slept as if they were stepping stones--and it's not for lack of space to walk--seems to be a game! I'm so worried they sleep so mooshed together...and they're not cold, either--when awake, they are spread out and active, playing and not huddling at all. Are they going to smash each other no matter what? And they seem pretty strong, many of them, but there are still some tinier ones, not unhealthy, sluggish or sickly, just smaller--it was a small one who got tramped yesterday, and she was very active healthy and feisty--are the tiny ones in danger? Sorry for all the questions and anxiety, I just want them to be healthy and happy and I don't want to find any more squooshed chickies...