New chick housing questions

[briteday]

For 40 birds, banties or standards, that tub will suffice for the first 2 weeks or so. Then things are going to get crowded. It's not just about the birds but you have to have enough feeders/waterers in there so everyone is getting enough, and they eat/drink constantly like little piggies. Also, the waste is going to build up at an incredible rate in such a small area with so many chicks. As my chicks get to be around 3-4 weeks old I like to put small roosts in the brooder for them. That will take up space as well. You will also need something to keep them busy (otherwise they may start to pull each other's feathers or pick at each other) so more space yet needed for a few toys like ping pong balls.

Last year I raised about 20 chicks and had twice the space you have now. They stayed in the house in the brooder full time until they were 4 weeks old. Then since the weather was nice they could spend the days outdoors in a protected run and still came in for the night. But I still had twice the space you have for 1/2 the number of birds you are planning. Even at 4 weeks of age the space you have will be crowded for just 10 birds, but possibly do-able.

 

[firedove]

I had 27 chicks in a 3'x2' brooder last February, by 2 weeks old I had to split them into 2 groups so 2 3'x2' brooders. By 4 weeks old I had to move them into an extra large dog crate (think great dane sized) combining the two groups again. At 10 weeks old they were very crowded in the crate and I sold a bunch that I hadn't planned to keep anyways. At 12 weeks I moved the remaining 15 into my coop with the big girls and they hid under the nesting box structure to keep out of the way of the older chickens when necessary. These were standard Wyandottes so they are big birds but even smaller breeds need a lot of space to grow out.

 

[Oreo]

Mine will be easter-eggers. So-- at what age can they be kept in the house without a heat lamp (in a tub)? I'm trying not to buy two heat lamps, but I guess I will if I have to.

 

[mrbstephens]

I use a large plastic storage container for the first few weeks then I move them into a baby pool. I keep it covered with chicken wire and when they get too tall I make a tent like cover with sheets. It looks kinda crazy, but works fine until they're old enough for outside.

 

[mrbstephens]

Quote:
I move mine outside when they're about 8 weeks old. Make sure they've gotten used to cooler temps first.