Is it time to increase the brooder size?

[happymanny]

Hello guys, I have 10 chicks that are 16 days old. They are growing at an alarming rate. That said, is there a rule of thumb on how much space they need in the brooder? I know its too soon to take them outside, but it's starting to seem crowded, at least to me.

 

[eggbert420]

1-2sq feet per chick.

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed. I like to give them 2 s.f./chick by the time they are 2 - 3 weeks old. A lot depends on the number of chicks. With a large brood of chicks, they can have a bit less sq. ft. per chick, and still have plenty of room to play.

 

[junebuggena]

Chicks double in size each week, and their space needs double each week as well. The good news is that after 6 weeks, the growth rate does begin to slow down.
A basic guideline is as follows -
1 week - 1/4 sq ft per chick
2 weeks - 1/2 sq ft per chick
3 weeks - 1 sq ft per chick
4 weeks - 2 sq ft per chick
5 weeks - 4 sq ft per chick
6 weeks - 8 sq ft
Past 6 weeks, they have about the same space needs as adults. It is much simpler to start with a large enough brooder from the start rather than constantly having to increase the space.

 

[3riverschick]

I raised 42 Light Sussex to 12 weeks old @ 2sq. Ft. Per bird and had no problems. By 5 weeks , most breeds are feathered out enough to go into the regular coop. I kept mine in grow out pens because I was wanting to select for a Breeding program . it was easier to eval the chicks in 7 bird groups. I had each group of 7 in one of those triple thick cardboard corrals they use for watermelons To the grocery store. Each one ( called a Gaylord in the industry) is 15 sq. Ft. I had no stress issues with the 7 corrals containing a total of 42 juvenile Light Sussex that season.
Best,
Karen
Best,
Karen