Size Matters :-)

[buddymc]

What sizes does a brooder need to be for 6 chicks. I'm worried my 2 week old girls are crowded. Maybe it's just me.

And can they stay in the same brooder until the go outside.... and when I say outside... that assumes I get off my butt and out into this cold and build them somewhere to live. Otherwise I'm going to have to put nest boxes and roosts in my sun room!

 

[Yay Chicks!]

I used a 2 by 4' approx metal stock tank for four chicks until they were ready to go out. Of course I had to put a chicken wire "roof" on it after not too long as they got proficient at flying out...

 

[buddymc]

yea... couple of mine are trying to take flight also, so I have some wire over it. That's why I was a little concerned they may be crowded.

Thanks!

 

[Reyvaughn]

At 2 weeks, you are supposed to have 1sq.ft. per bird. So, 6sq.ft. is fine. I haven't been following the suggested spaces, but that will change this weekend. I am making a 4x8 brooder out of either PVC pipe or particle board. I haven't decided yet.

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

I made a little box for them that is 4 feet by 4 feet I will try to post a pic later.

 

[dbounds10]

I use a dog kennel with a pull out plastic pan - This one measures out at 8 sq feet and I also have 6 chicks.

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Here is my brooder...
Ignore the dog! (she thinks she is the chicks mother.) Dogs, you cant live with them and you cant live without them!

This is the top. We screwed afew storm windows to our brooder that way it makes it easier for us to change the feed or water.

Once again, try to ignore the dog!

We put some glass in the front so that we could still watch the chicks.
I have 6 chicks too. And my brooder is 4 feet by 4 feet.