My First Brooder

[enggass]

I have searched and have not found any direct answers, but many opinions.
I plan on building my first brooder. It will be for 6 chicks - 3 RIR/3 Barred Rock. It will be in my basement. I have the book Chickens For Dummies, and it says I need 6 square inches per chick for the first 4 weeks. I've been told by my local chicken expert that I will need to keep them indoors for the first 8 weeks. My question is, how much space will I need for the second 4 weeks. Will a 2'x3' brooder suffice for the duration? Also, any other tips for a newb appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

No that will be to small mine started out in a plastic create from walmart for the first 4 weeks than I used a pallet for the base and took cardboard and built a floor and walls and a roof so a stove box or frig box will do great but if you wanna learn what works go to the coop builing section here. But it really doesn't matter what you use as long as it is draft free and very high lol they will jump and fly out

 

[Chicken Little Farmer]

keep them in for eight weeks!!! your going to want them outside by like six weeks. mine are, and man, they are like flying EVERYWHERE!!! and i only have three! You wiil probably want to build/get an outside brooder for the dayime when they are about
4 1/2 weeks, and then just put them inside for the night. I also depends on the temp outside.

 

[enggass]

I still am looking for a definitive answer on what size I will need as they get older. How many sq ft per bird from 4--6/8 weeks...?
Thanks,
Steve

 

[andalusn]

When my 3 youngsters are big enough I will be moving them from their plastic brooder bin to a Dog Xpen that I have zip tied mesh to and then place a top on it to keep them from flying out.

 

[nanawendy]

I absolutely think they will need more room... to flap around, stretch their wings and basically get out of each others space for a while.
They also need to play and have a roost. Some people keep the same brooder but divided for 3 or so weeks. Then open it up for the duration of their indoor time. I use 2 different brooders. The first is a plastic bin which is so easy to deal with. The second is one we made from wood and utility cloth, much deeper and bigger. Good luck and have fun

 

[nanawendy]

The second brooder is 28" across by 48"long by 32" tall for 8 chicks. Lots of room.

 

[enggass]

The second brooder is 28" across by 48"long by 32" tall for 8 chicks. Lots of room.

28"x48" is about 8 sqft. That is for 8 birds?
I would imagine then that what I am planning - 2'x3' or 6 sqft would be enough for 6 birds up to 8 weeks old... Yes?
Thanks,
Steve​