question on the size of my brooder/cage

[kwhit]

I have 6 chicks in a dog kennel, its size is 2'x3'x2' 3". I know it will be ok for now, but they are growing fast.

Check my thinking.
I plan to keep them in this cage for about 6 weeks I hope. But if they start getting
aggressive with each other I will move 3 out of this cage into another cage until they can go out in the coop
(which I don't have one built yet but plan to soon start one). It is still pretty cold up here in Massachusetts so
I think putting them out before mid-April is out of the question.

Thoughts?

 

[White Leghorn]

By 6 weeks they will be very large! I wouldn't advise keeping them cooped up like that for that long. Maybe 4 weeks? PM me with any questions you may have!

 

[TravisE]

i raised 4 red sex links and 2 columbian rock cross chicks. in a dog cage like yours. they did fine. i had them in there til they were 7 weeks old. i have 13 in that cage now. but they are only going to be in there a week or two. then they are going in a large brooder box i built.
hope this helps

 

[BunkyB]

That is a good size brooder cage for them since there are only 6 chicks. Keep them till they are fully feathered at least. You really should not have a problem with the space. If they do seem stressed with the space, by all means a second carrier will help. Only if you notice a chick being picked on too much, keep them together. When they develope their feathers and lose the fluffiness you can move them to a hen house as long as it is as draft free as possible

If they are a tad cold but in a brooder lamp or light bulb in the pen. If it is cold they will huddle together for warmth. I am in Eastern Canada and we have our share of the cold. Still waiting for spring too. I have chicks in the barn under a brooder lamp if they need it. They are doing fine and seem stress free. Hope this helps a bit... Steve

 

[kwhit]

Thank you for your input. I feel like I just had babies again. (I have three real kids 10 13 and 17). I really enjoy reading all the various threads asking about certain questions. BTW I just ordered "Building Chicken Coops for Dummies"