size grow out pen for meaties?

[newchknmama]

Im considering getting 4-5 meat birds for my family to raise and I was curious as to how big the grow out pen needed to be? How long do you keep them in under the heat and when would you put them outside? I am talking about fast growing meaties that would be processed in 6-8 weeks. Thanks!

 

[jeepguy982001]

i don't know the answer but i just bought 4 cornish x the other day. I was going to post the same question, hopefully we'll both get an answer soon.

 

[xC0000005]

I'm raising mine out in a 4x8 area and they have plenty of room with 12!. They just DO NOT MOVE much. I have their water at one end and their food in the other, and mostly they just sit in the middle. I could keep all 12 in an area 4x2 and they wouldn't be any more or less cramped, sadly.

 

[fair weather chicken]

we raise for sale batches of 50. in a 10x12 tractor which is moved every day. we put ours out at 3 weeks, which is about all we can stand in the brooder even with plenty of carbon( wood shavings). hope this helps some.

 

[Swampfarmer]

Commercial growers use about 1 square foot per chicken. I keep mine at 2 square feet and they have plenty of room. They still huddle together and have plenty of extra room.

Ralph

 

[jeepguy982001]

thanks for all the answers i think i'ma do a 4x8 for mine. afterwards I'll just use it to put my layers in when the gardens done. Thanks again all.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I do 30 in a 10 x 12 area every year. Good luck with your meat birds. You are going to love them.

 

[newchknmama]

Thanks so much for all the replies! It definitely gives me a place to start!