Specs for brooders size?

[Jo Anne]

How large of a brooder will I need for 12 cross x ? Ty

 

[aart]

Do you mean Cornish Cross meat birds?
How long will they be in brooder before moving to coop?

 

[Jo Anne]

Yes meat birds, I’m planning on getting 12, I can’t imagine they’ll be in the Brooder longer than three weeks

 

[aart]

Yes meat birds, I’m planning on getting 12, I can’t imagine they’ll be in the Brooder longer than three weeks

Are there other birds in the coop?
Can you safely put the chick heat out there and skip the brooder stage?

 

[Jo Anne]

That’s what I was wondering, skipping the brooder and put them right into the chicken Tractor since they grow so fast? I live in Missouri temps at nite 60’s no other chicks than the meat birds

 

[aart]

That’s what I was wondering, skipping the brooder and put them right into the chicken Tractor since they grow so fast? I live in Missouri temps at nite 60’s no other chicks than the meat birds

They'll still need some heat for the first week or so.

 

[Jo Anne]

What size brooder for 12 crossx is there a formula?

 

[FunClucks]

CX will need heat for the first 3 weeks at least - it takes them that long to grow enough feathers to regulate their body heat. You can do 4 wks in the brooder, but it may not be needed if temps in the coop are moderate. You can put the heat lamp out in the coop for three weeks or 4 weeks if you think it can be done safely (watch out for fire risk - have at least two retainment methods on your hanging light to prevent fire. I raised 25 CX in an 8 ft by 30" brooder (Two XXL wire mesh dog crates ziptied together with old plastic feed bags zip tied to the bottom and 2/3 up the sides). They were ready to go out to the coop by 3 wks.

Rule of thumb I've found is once the chickens' bodies take up 1/3 of the brooder floor space, it's time to upgrade the size of your brooder. Otherwise you get too much poop load into the shavings, are changing them day AND night to keep them dry, dealing with a lot of ammonia and moisture, and the birds can be stressed and not get enough exercise.