How fast do chicks grow?

[davidr]

I ordered 12 chicks. My brooder is approx 18"w x 32" long.

How many weeks before they out grow the brooder?

Thanx,

David

 

[Chickenmaven]

They grow fast! You might be able to swing that for a couple weeks, but you'll have to clean it out daily. I'd recommend asking for a big box at any grocery you frequent. I used a 4' x 4' potato box for a month.

 

[TXmom]

I was shocked that my 17 chicks outgrew their first brooder in a WEEK

It was slightly larger than yours...about 22" x 40".

I told my husband to pick up a big cardboard box from a store...but being the Home Depot addict he is, he picked up 2 sheets of OSB instead. He came home and built a 4' x 4' brooder very quickly and they are still in there at 4 weeks old. They're not overcrowded yet, but they are close to filling it up, and kinda bored. I take them outside to their mostly finished coop several times a week for play time.

This shot only shows 12 of the chicks at 1 week old, and it was their first night in there (I think the others are close to the front wall so they didn't show up in the pic). They are soooo much bigger now. We added a 2x2 roost from one side to the other and they LOVE it.

 

[mistylady]

Big rubbermaid boxes work well too. I had two and I'd put the babies in one and hose the other out daily. I squished some rabbit wire on the top for a lid and the light clipped on the box before I put the wire over it. Chicks have springs in their feet and will hop out fast!

 

[davidr]

It sounds like i have 1 maybe 2 weeks in my current brooder till I have to move them to something larger.

Thanx for all your advice.

David

 

[iread]

I searched and searched for a big box...stores either had already promised them or had disposed of them already. I finally mentioned to a friend that I was looking for a box. He runs a plant nursery and he saved me two great, double sided boxes. The boxes were from some rose bushes that were ordered. I thought I'd share. Look at plant nurseries if you can't find a big box!

 

[RendonRoo]

I ordered 12 and got 7 packing chicks. My "tub" 18x 32 lasted a week and i split them in two groups. I'm thinking by 2 or 3 weeks they will outgrow these.. Guess it's a trip to the Depot. Good luck