How many chicks will DLM support?

[donda67]

New to the coop. I am wondering if DLM use will work for 100 birds for a short period of time, say 10-12 weeks? All the info I have read about so far have been small flocks of 15 or less. We want to raise meat birds for three families consumption and am trying to decide which litter method will meet our needs with the least labor requirements.

Anyone with suggestions?

 

[TalkALittle]

What size space will the birds be occupying? Over what kind of surface will the deep litter be placed?

 

[donda67]

About 80 sq ft in the coop over concrete. Initally we plan 30 birds, but in the spring we are thinking up to 100. Is 80 enough space for these plans??

 

[RonP]

100 birds in 80 square feet?

 

[junebuggena]

Be very careful not to overcrowd them. Meat birds are not the most hardy breed, and if you overcrowd them, illness can and will spread very rapidly. Allow at least 10 sq ft of total living space per bird.

 

[donda67]

I'm somewhat confused on how much space is necessary. As our birds grow, they will be outside in a run most of the daylight hours. We don't intend to raise meat birds in cold weather--only spring and summer and early fall.. The 80 ft coop area will be primarily used for sleeping/roosting at night. How many birds would that area handle while raising them up to processing size! Obviously, I don't want to overcrowd them, but I also want as many as possible at one time to get the most from our labor. Raising chickens for 3 families.

Any advice from other meat growers will be appreciated.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

You wouldn't even have enough roost space for 100 birds in an 8x10 once they're grown. You might be able to squeeze half that in there, with a lot of stink and fighting. I'd say 30 max if you want to keep disease and stress down, which is simply good husbandry even for meat animals.

 

[TalkALittle]

With 100 birds in 80 square feet they'll have 0.8 square feet per bird. The coop will be wall to wall with birds. There is no way you will be able to provide the generally recommended 1 linear foot of roost space for each bird. Roosts should be at least 1 foot apart to allow enough room so that they don't infringe on the space of the adjacent roost and so birds aren't pooping on each other during the night.

100 meat birds will generate a lot of nasty poop even if they are only occupying the space at night. I think you may find that the poop will build up much faster than it composts. You will probably not get true deep litter (cold composting) action before it is time to process.

You may want to post in the Meat Birds forum of this site to get responses from more people who regularly raise birds for processing. Be sure to state how much interior and exterior space you have available. I understand the desire to maximize yield and minimize cost and labor. Realize though that you may get larger, healthier birds (and therefore greater overall yield) by going with fewer birds. The folks in the Meat Birds forum should offer the best advice for doing that.

 

[barneveldrerman]

100 birds in 80q.feet, not possible. They need at least 4 sq.feet per bird in the coop and 8-10sq.feet per bird for the run. Comfortably 30birds. 35-40 MAXIMUM!
Diseases can spread to easily If you put too many birds in a tight space. Stress levels are also going to be high. NOT SAFE!


Hope this helps!

 

[donda67]

I said I was new to the coop. Thanks for all the replys and advice as I see the error in my thinking now and will definitely have to rethink what I can do in this area. I look forward to more opportunities for you all to keep me from making major mistakes in this venture!!

Thanks again to all and have a great day-----and weekend!!