How many chicks can I raise in a brooder this size?

[happyhens]

How many chicks can I raise in a brooder that is 4 ft. X 4 ft. X 3'H? I want to raise them in that until they are feathered out enough to go to the big chicken's coop (6 wks.?) Thanks!

 

[bigzio]

Starting off the peeps will need 1/2 square foot per bird. You have 16 square feet in your brooder, so 32 to start, however by the time they are 4 weeks old they need 3/4 square foot per bird, and by 8 weeks they will need 1 square ft per bird. I would think 15 chicks would work well. Most folks crowd more than I would. I'm sure others have a opinion. This is what I recommend for 16 square feet. Good Luck.

bigzio

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I agree with bigzio on how many would safely fit in that size brooder for that length of time ....chicks won't feather out enough by 6 weeks tho...it takes 8 to 10 weeks for fully feathered and then they still need a heat lamp in this weather....

 

[happyhens]

It won't be in this weather, I am not ordering chicks until spring (mid-march or april). Thanks for the advice! Could I squeeze 20 chicks in, if they can go out in the big coop when they are 6 weeks (since it will be in the spring)? That's how many pullets I was hoping to order, plus some bantams that will be in a different brooder.

 

[kstaven]

At 6 weeks your adults will pick on them if you put then together. If you can keep them outside by themselves a heat light may still be needed. You can do 20 up to six weeks with the size you have.