How much space needed?

[youngfarmboy04]

I plan to buy 100 Cornish Cross or Cornish Rocks and was wondering how much space they need. I have a 12x16 covered pen. That is 196 square feet, from my research I only need 150 square feet for 100 meat birds is this true?

 

[meetthebubus]

The minimum is 3 ft per bird recommended personally i would give 12 by 16 to like 6 birds but many might say 20 birds for that size
They need room otherwise health and safety is a concern odor of pen, room for all to eat and drink, etc.

 

[redranger209]

The minimum is 3 ft per bird recommended personally i would give 12 by 16 to like 6 birds but many might say 20 birds for that size
They need room otherwise health and safety is a concern odor of pen, room for all to eat and drink, etc.

That’s true for regular chickens, not broilers.

 

[Northern.Ontario]

Minimum is 2 square feet. But you'll be moving that tractor at least twice per day.

 

[RUNuts]

Broilers are real chickens too!

Depends. 2 sq ft / adult bird is discussed.
What is your bedding? How often will you clean or add bedding?
What feed (% protein) will you feed?
What is your stink factor? How close is the pen to a house, yours or the neighbors?
If this is your first time, I would not maximize the space until I had some experience and knew what to expect.

This animal husbandry stuff is involved!

 

[youngfarmboy04]

I will only keep them until they are around 7-8 weeks old. This information has helped a lot. I still would prefer I had more input.

 

[Northern.Ontario]

I will only keep them until they are around 7-8 weeks old. This information has helped a lot. I still would prefer I had more input.

Is your pen permanently fixed in place or movable? If it's permanent then you'll need to constantly be adding new bedding (straw or shavings). My coop (pen) is 12x20'. I will have a poultry fenced area connected to the coop that measures 30x30' so there is a lot of space for them during the day. Mine are 4 weeks old and this weekend will be their first venture outdoors.

 

[lazy gardener]

What are the hatchery recommendations? I would double what ever they are suggesting. 1.5 s.f./bird is not going to give them any room to move about by the time they are nearing the finish line. IMO, best practice is to give them plenty of room, even free ranging, or semi confined would be an improvement. Can you set up an extra covered run to give them more room during the day? Or can you let them free range a bit?

Check out the Joel Salatin information pertaining to meat birds.

 

[youngfarmboy04]

Is your pen permanently fixed in place or movable? If it's permanent then you'll need to constantly be adding new bedding (straw or shavings). My coop (pen) is 12x20'. I will have a poultry fenced area connected to the coop that measures 30x30' so there is a lot of space for them during the day. Mine are 4 weeks old and this weekend will be their first venture outdoors.

Mine is permanent and I was wondering if it was needed to add a larger area or not.

 

[youngfarmboy04]

What are the hatchery recommendations? I would double what ever they are suggesting. 1.5 s.f./bird is not going to give them any room to move about by the time they are nearing the finish line. IMO, best practice is to give them plenty of room, even free ranging, or semi confined would be an improvement. Can you set up an extra covered run to give them more room during the day? Or can you let them free range a bit?

Check out the Joel Salatin information pertaining to meat birds.

I can't let them free range because in my area there is lots of predators. I am planning to build another area outside. Would covering it in wire be okay or would it need to be covered by a roof.