Need some chicken advice...

[Lilorp14]

Hello, I'm trying to get my egg business up and running, and I am trying to figure out how much I can expect a 6-8 week old chick to eat per day? Can a 6-week old chick be off heat in a 60 degree, draft-free barn? How many square feet do 6-8 week old chicks need in a brooder? Thanks.

 

[CindyinSD]

Will they be warm enough? Alone, no probably not. If there are a bunch of chicks and they have snuggly bedding--a place to cuddle up together, then they should be fine. Rats though, could be deadly, so be sure they're safe from these and snakes and other predators. Chickenwire isn't enough--all that does well is keep chickens in.

I don't know the recommendations for area for 8 wk old chicks, but I'd guess two sq ft as an absolute minimum. More is better. You will know if they're too crowded. It will be impossible to keep their area from smelling bad no matter how much deep bedding you use and they will likely pick at one another.

They go through the food pretty fast at that stage. You can give them developer or flock raiser. How much they eat depends on the breed and the food value. You'll need to keep good records if you want to know exactly what to expect next time.. Turn the lights off at night. They will sleep better and also, they won't eat off and on all through the night--expensive for you and unhealthy for them.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would not worry about the cold, at 6 weeks, unless it gets 20 to 30 degrees BELOW zero. If it is above 20 degrees, and they are out of the wind, they will do fine.

As for how much they eat, I would guess about a tablespoon. What I would do is feed less than you think, but feed twice or three times a day, making pretty sure it was empty. Placing the feed dish on a tray can save a lot of feed, as a lot of feed gets wasted, when they scoop it out of the bowl. Just pour it back in there.

More space is better. Just healthier and they should be out in the sunshine too.

Mrs K