How much room for my little ones

[Mudpuddle]

I will soon be getting 4 dozen chicks, how much room do I need to prepare in a brooder... I know thats a lot of chicks for BYC, but any info will help... How big is you brooder with how many chicks.

 

[SteveBaz]

They are the size of a softball at age 5 to 6 weeks depending on the breed. They are extremely active by 5 weeks and in my opinion need 1 1/2 square feet per bird. At juvenile stage 13 to 25 weeks they will require 2 1/2 square feet per bird at the most in the coop in the brooder I have found that you may have a large brooder but the more dominant birds will jump up to the top bar and crowd in to be together especially chick-mates in the oddest places. In the brooder box I have heard in a 12" to 15 " egg box 3 will sit and others will wait for a favorite box for hours to lay an egg. 50 birds I would for sure prepare to brood them outside and keep the 85 degrees the first week, 80 degrees the second week and 5 degrees less each week until fully feathered at 7 weeks then the heat goes off for the remainder of their lives with little exceptions. 50 birds will at 4 weeks have a lot of poop, a lot of dust and plan on a lot of activity which include perches every where large rock to stand on and branches to perch on and activities including a large covered run. Best of luck to you in your en devour.

 

[Mudpuddle]

^_^ thank you, that was very informative