How much room for chicks?

[jrudolph305]

We have had chickens before but never chicks. We want to get about 16-18 chicks and would start them in the basement with heat lamp. If we can't put them into a coop until 4-6 weeks about how much room will I need as they grow in the basement? I was thinking about 6X8 would do. Any thoughts?

 

[sumi]

Minimum 1sq foot per chick, though a bit more would be better. They like to run around and they grow so fast! Also make sure you cover the brooder (without compromising on ventilation) for when they start flying. They can fly surprisingly fast at a very young age and run very fast once they've escaped

 

[redsoxs]

That sounds like a good size for the many birds. But, as sumi said, they grow like weeds and soon the pen will start to look pretty small.