Real math - not chicken math

[Wisher1000]

Okay everybody, I have foolishly agreed to grow out some chicks for a friend at work. I'm an enabler! He has a coop and run but is not set up to brood. They will start in a 4' x 4' cardboard brooder in my garage (the set up I have always used for up to 12 chicks) and I have a 4'w x 8'l x 2'h ground run/tractor that I use when they are big enough to get out in nice weather. There will be BO, BA, EE, and BR's. I don't think I can do it with just those and I am considering my options. I need some advice.

I need to know the following:
1. At what age can they be considered fully feathered and require no supplemental heat? (will be April in Alabama)
2. What is the minimum space I need for 36 chicks through that age?
3. I will get 12 BO's first, then 12 BA's a week later, then 12 EE's a week after that. What is the best age to integrate those together? Last time I had 6 that came 2 weeks after the first and I constructed an area where the little ones could run under cover but the older ones couldn't. I was able to remove it after 3 weeks. What is your experience with this?
4. As much as I would love to build a permanant brood/grow-out coop and run, I am pressed for time and money and need to "make-do" this time. Who knows, this may be a way to introduce all my friends to the joys of chicken addiction!

Thanks for your help, any input will be carefully considered and appreciated!

Lisa


BTW: first 12 arrive on Feb. 16th!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Space after 3 weeks? A lot!!! But here's the thing. One week apart isn't a problem in the brooder. it wasn't for me anyhow. My brooder is 5x8 and they clustered up by type. I also used two heat lamps which gave them two circles to go to.

But the age difference between the oldest and the youngest will be two weeks and that is not good. You'll have to grow one batch by themselves, I believe. Either the oldest group or the youngest group. The middle group can go up or down, if you have big enough space with two heat lamps, no issues. Note picture. Black chicks are a week younger than the buff.

36 chicks between the ages of 4 and 6 weeks are going to be rowdy and require considerable space. Again, with two groupings, this will help a lot.

As for April in Alabama, you should be fine taking them outside at 5 weeks. You can supplement a little 150 watt lamp at night, if it cools unexpectedly. At 5 weeks, I have found they don't care for the 250 watt, as it gets too warm for them. Of course, chicks self regulate by moving toward or away from the heat.

 

[Wisher1000]

Fred's Hens :

Space after 3 weeks? A lot!!! But here's the thing. One week apart isn't a problem in the brooder. it wasn't for me anyhow. My brooder is 5x8 and they clustered up by type. I also used two heat lamps which gave them two circles to go to.

But the age difference between the oldest and the youngest will be two weeks and that is not good. You'll have to grow one batch by themselves, I believe. Either the oldest group or the youngest group. The middle group can go up or down, if you have big enough space with two heat lamps, no issues. Note picture. Black chicks are a week younger than the buff.

36 chicks between the ages of 4 and 6 weeks are going to be rowdy and require considerable space. Again, with two groupings, this will help a lot.

As for April in Alabama, you should be fine taking them outside at 5 weeks. You can supplement a little 150 watt lamp at night, if it cools unexpectedly. At 5 weeks, I have found they don't care for the 250 watt, as it gets too warm for them. Of course, chicks self regulate by moving toward or away from the heat.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/69833_dscf1991.jpg

Okay, what's "alot?" I need a number! I am working on an 8' x 8' addition to my existing coop, would that be enough if I finish it in time? I can reduce the number of chicks if I have to. I have heard that BO's are extremely docil and since they are coming first, I was hoping I could make it work. I REALLY don't want two bunches! When I agreed to do this for my friend, I thought he would want 3 or 4 of a couple of breeds, that's what I want. He wants 8 of each! HUH, that'll teach me to assume!​

 

[Judy]

Between 5 & 8 weeks the number I've read is 2 sq ft per chick. It can be 1/2 sq ft for weeks 1 and 2, and 1 sq ft for weeks 3 and 4, but then you need 2 sq ft. At 8 weeks they need the full 4 sq ft, but at 8 weeks they are also considered fully feathered and ready for the coop.

Personally, in Kentucky, I would probably get them out sooner. Actually I would not brood in the house anyway.

I always found the brooder temps they liked best were lower than recommended by at least 10 degrees. Also if you can take them outdoors some while brooding, they will feather a little faster and begin to get accustomed to cooler temps.

My one week old chicks were running around the coop all day in 40 and 50 degree weather. These were broody raised chicks, sleeping under mama at night and gathering under her during the day if they got cold. But I found at those temps I didn't see them go under her for warmth during the day even when she offered. Today they are still under 2 weeks, highs were around 50 and it was windy, and they were outdoors much of the day. They really seem to need more warmth at night than when up and about.

Good luck, and hope that helped.

 

[justbugged]

Fred's Hens :

Space after 3 weeks? A lot!!! But here's the thing. One week apart isn't a problem in the brooder. it wasn't for me anyhow. My brooder is 5x8 and they clustered up by type. I also used two heat lamps which gave them two circles to go to.

But the age difference between the oldest and the youngest will be two weeks and that is not good. You'll have to grow one batch by themselves, I believe. Either the oldest group or the youngest group. The middle group can go up or down, if you have big enough space with two heat lamps, no issues. Note picture. Black chicks are a week younger than the buff.

36 chicks between the ages of 4 and 6 weeks are going to be rowdy and require considerable space. Again, with two groupings, this will help a lot.

As for April in Alabama, you should be fine taking them outside at 5 weeks. You can supplement a little 150 watt lamp at night, if it cools unexpectedly. At 5 weeks, I have found they don't care for the 250 watt, as it gets too warm for them. Of course, chicks self regulate by moving toward or away from the heat.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/69833_dscf1991.jpg

Off topic; But your child is gorgeous, and your chicks are very cute.​

 

[Wisher1000]

ddawn - so I need to figure 2 sq feet per chick to get me to the 8 week point. That means 36x2=72 but 8x8=64. I'm 8 feet short with just the addition (which is going to be fully enclosed, but if I also use the 4x8 portable run (32 sq ft) I should be able to make do as long as they are rehomed by 8 weeks? Am I on track with my figures? Math is not my strong point but I EXCELL at chicken math (you know, like "don't count your chickens before they hatch, so eggs in the bator don't count.)

 

[greathorse]

2 ft per sqft is a lot of space for brooding if you ask me. I have 15 5 week old birds in a 32 sqft brooder and in my opinion I could double that with no issues at all. Not sure where the 2 ft number came from.

 

[Fred's Hens]

The girl IS gorgeous.

She is my granddaughter and one of the joys of my life.

I agree with the posters above. My chicks have not needed the heat that other's claim at 4-6 weeks. They grow up fast and just don't like those 85 degree temps anymore, so it's just a waste of electricity.

I also NEVER brood indoors as the dust and smell, is well..... there are no good words for it all.

Your 8x8 size sounds right. I could bring 36 chicks to age in that size and be comfortable. A grow out pen of twice that size will be needed, unless your run is well covered and they spend lots of time in and out of doors. They get active.

 

[Wisher1000]

Greathorse - I was figuring on 2 sq ft per bird needed at 6-8 weeks. At that age, 24 of them will go to their forever home.

I have a 12x16 covered run (see my page)and I am putting an 8x12 addition on the end. So far all I have is the floor and top stringer, no roof or walls, the weather has not been cooperating. I intend to have 4 feet (of the 12) in storage and the other 8 feet as interior coop space with a pop door between it and the covered run. The pop will be open all the time, as the run is well secured. Once I get the roof and walls up, and prior to cutting the pop door, I can use the 8x8 section for the broodies. I can also let them use the run during the day while all the other birds are out free ranging.

As for brooding inside, I use a cardboard box that is 4'x4'x2' in the garage. It stays about half way between the inside temp (around 65 degrees) and the outside temp (30 degrees right now) so it is not exactly "inside." I like to start them there so I can keep a closer eye on them at the start. I move them to the outside with access to a box and lamp at about 4 weeks if it is above freezing at night.

Okay, what about the question of the BO's that will be one week older than the next 12 and two weeks older than the 3rd 12? Anyone have experience with BO chicks and how they get along with others. I hope they are more docile than most breeds so will not pick so much. My gut tells me chicks are chicks and the breed will not be much of a factor. Thoughts?

I feel better. You all have given me some great insight into what I have gotten myself into! I am thankful for you all!