Question About Brooder Size

[qopt]

My chicks are going to be 2 weeks old tomorrow and it’s about time they get some more space. They are definitely getting antsy.


This is a picture of their current brooder, it’s a 30 gallon plastic bin.

This is an old cow trough from our neighbors that is approximately 100 gallons. And hopefully their new brooder.

Now to my question: Is that too much space for 5 two week old chicks? How should I divide it and how much room should I leave for each chick?

I am unable to find any information on brooder size upgrades, I’m only finding posts about upgrading chicks from brooder to coop which they’re still too young for.

Would it be okay to just give them the whole space?

 

[gpresdo]

How many chicks?

 

[hysop]

For 5 two week olds I think that’s a good amount of space. Even if you give them a lot of room they won’t roam until they’re ready. Better to give them lots of room than not enough.

 

[qopt]

How many chicks?

Five.

 

[qopt]

For 5 two week olds I think that’s a good amount of space. Even if you give them a lot of room they won’t roam until they’re ready. Better to give them lots of room than not enough.

So tomorrow just set them up to have all that space? It looks like quite a bit, but like you said, I guess it's better to give them lots of room then not enough.

 

[hysop]

You’ll be surprised how fast they get comfortable roaming all that space and before you know it you will have to upgrade again!

 

[gpresdo]

Five.

That is plenty of space. I have 33 in a 100 gal rubbermaid tank presently...3 days old. Light at one end for needed heat and food and water at the other end for cooling trips. Then the need grows fast.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Bigger is better within reason (obviously not so big that they just run off and don't know how to get back!) How large is that trough as far as floor space? My last group of 4 chicks had almost 9 sq ft of floor space but were still getting pretty nutty at 2 weeks of age, so I let them out a week later (20x25 run) and they figured out how to get back to their food and water and heat pad just fine.

 

[gpresdo]

My chicks are going to be 2 weeks old tomorrow and it’s about time they get some more space. They are definitely getting antsy.

View attachment 2057423
This is a picture of their current brooder, it’s a 30 gallon plastic bin.
View attachment 2057424
This is an old cow trough from our neighbors that is approximately 100 gallons. And hopefully their new brooder.

Now to my question: Is that too much space for 5 two week old chicks? How should I divide it and how much room should I leave for each chick?

I am unable to find any information on brooder size upgrades, I’m only finding posts about upgrading chicks from brooder to coop which they’re still too young for.

Would it be okay to just give them the whole space?

That is not too much space. They like to roam and that allows movement.

We use saw dust (no smelly...pine/cedar...inclusions) in the tubs. It is good to absorb poop and later clean with a small net. We do not use pine chips on small chicks. They have rather sensitive tracs. and that is a no no...and never use cedar chips on any birds.

 

[SueT]

They'll love their new place and the chance to stretch their wings! Put in some branches or items to climb on.