Lots of Brooder Questions!!!

[black_cat]

I"m wondering how brooder sizing works? Do you have something big enough for them their entire time as chicks, and wall off part until they grow bigger? How much space does a 6 week old chicken need? Is there such a thing as too much space in a brooder? Too little? Do chicks need roosts in the brooder? starting at what age? Can you use shavings for bedding? Is it better to have a hanging feeder and waterer? Are heating plates or heat lamps better?Is there any enrichment you can give chicks? I am planning for some chicks in the spring and have never raised chicks before.

 

[black_cat]

I'm mostly wondering about the sizing, so that I can over plan every single detail of my brooder like I do with everything else. I know space needs for coops, but haven't yet come across any brooder size guides.

 

[black_cat]

Also heating plates vs Heat lamps is a big question for me.

 

[black_cat]

I found something that says chicks need 2 square feet of space? Is that true? Is it true for when they're 6 weeks old, right before you move them to the coop, or when they're babies?

 

[black_cat]

Can you move them to the coop at 6 weeks? Do you have to wait longer? Does one of them being a silkie change anything?

 

[black_cat]

If anyone has answers to any of these questions, I'd really appreciate answers.

 

[black_cat]

Is 2 square feet per chick accurate? I am having trouble with that because I would need 12-16 square feet, and because I have a cat I would need to have the brooder be an enclosed container. I would have it behind closed doors for the cat, but better safe than sorry.

 

[Nventer]

I"m wondering how brooder sizing works? Do you have something big enough for them their entire time as chicks, and wall off part until they grow bigger? How much space does a 6 week old chicken need? Is there such a thing as too much space in a brooder? Too little? Do chicks need roosts in the brooder? starting at what age? Can you use shavings for bedding? Is it better to have a hanging feeder and waterer? Are heating plates or heat lamps better?Is there any enrichment you can give chicks? I am planning for some chicks in the spring and have never raised chicks before.

Hello there and welcome to BYC. I am a new “mama” and I started off looking at this link that was really helpful. Basics of Raising Backyard Chickens.
PS, How many chicks do you have?

 

[black_cat]

Hello there and welcome to BYC. I am a new “mama” and I started off looking at this link that was really helpful. Basics of Raising Backyard Chickens.
PS, How many chicks do you have?

Thanks for the link! I don't have chicks yet (if I did right now, it would be a disaster with all the stuff I don't know!) but I'm pretty sure I will be getting either 6 or 8 chicks.

 

[Pullet Press]

Can you move them to the coop at 6 weeks? Do you have to wait longer? Does one of them being a silkie change anything?

Yes, you can move them to the coop at 6 weeks, no matter what breed. Especially with it being summer.