How long can my chicks stay in their brooder?

[suzeqf]

I started out with 6 one week olds in a 5 gal washtub then i got a few more and moved everyone to a larger cardboard box i just moved them again a few days ago into a huge pallet bottom cardboard box with very high side it's longer than it is wide and they have enough room to all spread out even with their waterer and feeder in the box and they even have enough room to spread their wings and take mini test flights

 

[SDR]

From what you describe of the size of your brooder now it doesn't sound like they will be able to stay in it much longer. Before building mine I posted the question on how much space they will need as they grow so I knew they would have enough space till the end of brooding. The answer I got was 2 sq ft per bird when they are 8-10 weeks old.

Right now with the chicks just a couple weeks old I've partitioned off part of the brooder to help keep them warmer since they are in an unheated barn with temps still getting into the single digits. I have moved the partition already since the chicks seemed a little restless with each other.

 

[onesweetfarm]

Quote:
Thanks! I just remembered that I have an old dog crate in my hay loft. My GSD doesn't use it any longer and it is definitely big enough for rapidly growing chicks. I will put it to use again once they have outgrown their custom built brooder.