Square Foot Per Bird Dilemma

[anthonyjames]

I know rule of thumb is at least 1 sqft per bird. Does this rule hold for the breeders only?

Or can you raise out your meat birds at 1/2 that say 1/2 square foot per bird since they will be dispatched within 6 - 8 weeks?

 

[p.james]

Others would know better than myself I'm sure, but I have mine at two birds/sf and they are doing fine so far. Right now my pens have extra space taken up by feeders and waterers that will be out of the way soon to give more floor space to the birds. I would have some expansion room just in case. An extra pen just to be able to shuffle around any trouble makers if need be. Maybe others can offer more experienced help...

 

[JJMR794]

That Rule Of Thumb Is Just That, Not A Hard And Fast Rule. Ultimately The Birds Dictate How Much Space They Will Settle For And Not Us. By The Statement Raising For Meat And 6 To 8 Wks I Gather Your Referring To Coturnix? As Far As Quail Go They Are The Most Tolerant Of Tight Quarters.

 

[p.james]

I did not realize that Coturnix would put up with tighter spacing than other quail. Good information. When raising for meat would it be more productive to just keep a batch all together (male & female) until butcher date? I suppose this is providing that a person has all the layers he wants. I have not been at this long enough to have tried out different plans.

 

[aprophet]

p.james :

I did not realize that Coturnix would put up with tighter spacing than other quail. Good information. When raising for meat would it be more productive to just keep a batch all together (male & female) until butcher date? I suppose this is providing that a person has all the layers he wants. I have not been at this long enough to have tried out different plans.

you might try lowering the light level if you are "going to keep a bunch of them together" maybe 8 hours of light and 16 of darkness / low light .good luck​

 

[anthonyjames]

Thanks. I have a double level hutch. I am keeping my breeders in the upper level. The upper level is approx 6' x 2.5'. Right now I have 14 in there and will take out any trouble makers asap.

The plan was to hatch out the eggs and raise the meat birds in the bottom. I would try and hatch out 30/40 eggs at a time and hope for 50 - 60% hatch rate. Seeing as I am new at this and that is what my hatch rate was with eggs from a breeder I am guessing that is the norm. I supposed if I need more room I can put them in my portable tractors when my rabbits are not in them.

I am raising Courtnix and A & M

Thanks

 

[Bettacreek]

There was someone on here who had their breeders in really small cages, and had great production. I was actually hoping to build cages similar to the other person, and then have one big cage (well, probably 2x3 or so) for growing meaties out. You should be able to get away with 6"x6" for coturnix without any issues at all. Smaller spaces would probably work just as easily, but as someone else said, you'll just need to keep an eye out.

 

[jenjscott]

Just remember when you keep your breeders in 6 inch cages, they are essentially the same as battery hens. They can survive, but many would consider it abusive. It is your decision, but expect some flack.

 

[Bettacreek]

Some also depends on overall cage size. You can build a massive pen and give them even less than 6"x6" and have plenty of room. Basically, do it more by eye than by any set rule. If it looks crowded, then give them more space, if it looks good, leave it be, if there's more room, put some more in or let it go.

 

[JJMR794]

p.james :

I did not realize that Coturnix would put up with tighter spacing than other quail. Good information. When raising for meat would it be more productive to just keep a batch all together (male & female) until butcher date? I suppose this is providing that a person has all the layers he wants. I have not been at this long enough to have tried out different plans.

YES ACTUALLY THE 1 SQ/FT RULE OF THUMB IS FOR COTURNIX. BUTTONS A TAD LESS. BOBS 1000X'S MORE + 10 FT...

GAMBELS AND VALLEYS JUST A LIL SHORT OF THE BOB'S REQUIREMENT.... MOUNTAINS AND MEARNES--- WE AINT EVEN GOIN THERE....​