What size of a brooder for 2 dozen chicks

[jendodd79]

I'm going to build a brooder pen for our day olds. What size will we need for 2 dozen chicks? I'd like one that could last them for 6 to 8 weeks as we'll be hitting the cold part of winter when it's time to start acclimatizing them outside.

 

[donrae]

By 8 weeks old you need 2 feet or so per bird or you're going to start having crowding issues.

Do you have an outdoor place to put your brooder? After 2-3 weeks, they really don't spend much of the day under the heat lamp no matter how cold it is. So, having the brooder outside will help them acclimate to the ambient temp better and give you hardier chicks. They'll need ample space to get out from under the heat lamp also. Overheating is more of a risk to chicks than being too cold.

 

[jendodd79]

We'll eventually be keeping 6 pullets, and 2 of our friends will also be keeping 6 pullets each and we'll be selling/giving away the roos. (If all goes to plan!) I'll be raising them for as long as it's needed until they can go to their new coops. The weather here in December is between 30-40 degrees. I do have a large outdoor empty (unheated) greenhouse that could be used during the day. I thought that I would need to raise them indoors for 8 weeks until their feathers come in - I love that I would be wrong on that one!

 

[jendodd79]

Can they be put in their coops at 5-6 weeks at that temperature? Would there need to be some heating lamps for them?

 

[RonC]

Depending on breed most can go out at 4 weeks. Most are fully feathered by 5-6 weeks.Some do develop slower and would need to stay in a brooder longer. About 2 sq ft per bird is recommended at 4 weeks old so you will need a good sized area. Mine went in the coop at 4 weeks and the night time lows were mid to low 50's with no heat lamp. Make sure there are no drafts near their roosts and they can tolerate alot. Putting them in the greenhouse with a heat lamp in one area for them to warm up would be good. Make sure it's predator proof and it would work well for a brooder area. The first 2 weeks the temperature is pretty critical but like donrae said don't try to heat the whole brooder.

 

[donrae]

I don't brood chicks indoors, ever. The amount of dust that many birds would produce......staggering.

If your greenhouse is large enough, I'd set the brooder up out there. Portion off an area and set up your heat lamp, leaving plenty of room to let them get out from under the heat. Have a couple of feeders and waterers so everyone can get access.

It's really interesting to watch a broody hen raise chicks. We think they're so fragile and need to be kept so warm, etc. By 2 weeks my broody raised babies spend hours at a time out from under momma, even in the early spring. And my best broody calls it quits at almost exactly 6 weeks, it's like she read that's how long she's supposed to brood them lol. At that time they weren't really able to fit under her anyway, so it was more for comfort they'd huddle together. Plus, the chicks do huddle and keep each other warm, like kittens or puppies.

I prefer to have hardier birds so I take the heat away as soon as I can. If you're worried you could put a lamp out until 8 weeks or so, but really by then they're as feathered as they're going to get.

 

[jendodd79]

Thank you! That is pretty fantastic news. I'll work on a plan for that We're going to build the coop right next to the greenhouse where it will be sheltered by the greenhouse, and a stone wall and it's going to be very predator safe. Even if I'm able to move my girls outside and start rehoming the roos (as soon as we can sex them) at 4-6 weeks old, I can hang on the other girls in the brooder until I know that are ready for my friend's coops

 

[donrae]

My current coop IS an old greenhouse lol. It has shelves around the perimeter that are waist high made of 1 inch slats. Most of my birds roost there, some in the rafters. We just made sure there are enough windows for ventilation and cooling.

 

[jendodd79]

Interesting thought!!

It definitely has ventilation built in and would have to have some extra security done, but might be easier than trying to build something brand new this winter.... Hmmmmmm great thought!!