what size brooder would i need for 30 baby chicks

[blueseal]

im thinking of getting more chicks in april, what size brooder would i need to have for them until they feather out and wont need light. i have a barn coop 10x12 that houses 18 adult flock right now but will be rehoming 12 of the 18 by april. i could section off a corner of the coop or build a seperate brooder.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

You will need several brooders for them growing up but you can work with big card board boxes.
Start with a smaller one and then trash it after a week, move to the next size and by week 3 you should have them in a big box for the next 3 weeks until they are feathered out a good bit.
Mine are so spoiled though I always keep a small light on them til they move to the big coop.
I raise about 50 at a time they pile if they think they are getting the least bit cold or scared.

However, look at the brooder threads we have had lately. I started one for a more permanent set up but cardboard boxes work great for one batch.

 

[Cowgirl71]

Copied from "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens"

0-4 weeks - 0.5 sq. ft. each
4-8 weeks - 1 sq. ft. each
8-12 weeks - 2 sq. ft. each
12+ weeks - 3 sq. ft. each

 

[blueseal]

my thing is i dont dare brood them in the house with 4 house cats. so i would be better off brooding in my coop what do you think.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

You'll want a half a square foot per chick until they are two to four weeks old (depends on the size of their breed) then a foot per bird until they are feathered out and don't need supplemental heat. My brooder is 4x8 for sixty four square feet and I presently have fifty chicks in there where they are good for another week or so when I'll move them into larger quarters.

 

[Chicklette 1]

i think you have 32 square feet i see, you have doubled it because each one need 6in. Sorry

 

[birdman55]

8 by 8 would be 64ft 2 man that would be huge...i just started building mine for my silver yellow goldens and yellow goldens and white and blue peacocks and its only 4x4 16ft2 doesnt even seem to be that much but it so big for them little guys and gals....hope they like there new home...