/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

New Brooder Completed - How many chicks will this accomodate?

Discussion in 'Raising Baby Chicks' started by preacher1, Apr 25, 2007.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Apr 25, 2007 #1
    preacher1

    preacher1 Out Of The Brooder

    29
    1
    34
    Apr 13, 2007
    I have made a brooder out of a clear plastic storage bin. The dimensions are 30" Long 16" Wide at the bottow and it is 12" tall. I cut a large rectange in the lid and put 1/2" wire in its place and mounted a 250W red reflector light to the top of the wire on the out side. So far my tempature is between 90 - 95 degrees in the brooder. How many pullets will this size accomodate and for how long? I plan to buy between 8 - 12 pullets now but am also currious to how many it will handle for future purchases. Thanks.
     
  3. Apr 25, 2007 #2
    Critter Crazy

    Critter Crazy Chillin' With My Peeps

    1,086
    2
    181
    Apr 19, 2007
    Binghamton, NY
    Pullets or chicks? Pullets are young females just beginning to lay, and this box will not hold more than one! If you are talking about chicks, than you should be fine![​IMG]
     
  5. Apr 25, 2007 #3
    justusnak

    justusnak Flock Mistress

    6,028
    7
    273
    Feb 28, 2007
    South Eastern Indiana
    Well...... 8 to 12 day old pullets...will be comfortable in there for say...2 weeks, maybe 3? You will just have to wathc them, they will let you knwo when they need more room ie: pecking each other, peeping alot and just looking uncomfortable. Plan now to get another brooder set up in a few weeks. A large cardboard box...childs plastic pool...most anything will work...but remember, they "hop/fly" pretty high in a few weeks! [​IMG]
     
  7. Apr 25, 2007 #4
    preacher1

    preacher1 Out Of The Brooder

    29
    1
    34
    Apr 13, 2007
    Sorry about that. New to the chicken business still trying to learn the terms. They are day old chicks. How long would you be able to keep 12 chicks in this size brooder?
     
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2007
  9. Apr 25, 2007 #5
    Critter Crazy

    Critter Crazy Chillin' With My Peeps

    1,086
    2
    181
    Apr 19, 2007
    Binghamton, NY
    I would say maybe 2 weeks at most. they grow quick, and if they dont have enough room will peck at eachother.
     
  11. Apr 25, 2007 #6
    justusnak

    justusnak Flock Mistress

    6,028
    7
    273
    Feb 28, 2007
    South Eastern Indiana
    OOOPS my bad, I was thinking chicks, NOT pullets! LOL
     
  13. Apr 26, 2007 #7
    Southern28Chick

    Southern28Chick Flew The Coop

    3,893
    2
    231
    Apr 16, 2007
    I'm confused!?!?!? When you order chicks they call the females pullets. I thought that any female chicken under laying age is called a pullet even chicks.
     
  15. Apr 26, 2007 #8
    AccidentalFarm

    AccidentalFarm Chillin' With My Peeps

    1,195
    10
    191
    Mar 29, 2007
    People generally call males & female's chicks while they are still cute little fluffy butts. It doesn't indicate sex at all. The terminology then gravitates over to the pullet/cockeral (teens) and hen/rooster(adult).
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2007
  17. Apr 26, 2007 #9
    allen wranch

    allen wranch Overrun With Chickens Premium Member

    3,609
    55
    264
    Jan 11, 2007
    San Marcos, TX
    Are you sure that the red 250 W bulb is only 90-95° in the brooder?

    If I sit a 250W heat lamp on top of my brooder wire, it is nearly120° underneath it.

    The chicks need a place to get away from the heat, so if you are measuring 90-95° at the opposite end of the heat lamp, that is too hot.
     
  19. Apr 26, 2007 #10
    MoonGoddess

    MoonGoddess Chillin' With My Peeps

    238
    1
    141
    Apr 8, 2007
    Philly, PA
    That's a good point Carla.

    I'm not terrific with dimensions, but I only needed a 100 watt for my 30 gallon aquarium and it was quite toasty.
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by