Chicks Growing Up: When Do They Need More Space?

Chicks require more space as they age, and the amount of space they need depends on the breed and age of the chick. For the first 4-6 weeks of a chick's life, they need 0.8 to 1 square foot of floor space per chick. After this, they will need twice the floor space, and by 18-20 weeks, they will need to be transitioned to a complete layer feed. The transition from a brooder to a chicken coop can be stressful for chicks, so it is important to do it slowly and when the chicks are ready. The ideal time to make the transition is around 6 weeks, when the outdoor temperature is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Brooder requirements

Space

Space requirements for chicks depend on their age. For the first four weeks, each chick requires at least 6 inches of space. From four to eight weeks of age, they need 1 square foot per chick, and this requirement doubles from eight to twelve weeks, as they experience rapid growth. It is recommended to provide at least 1 square foot of space per chick for the first six weeks to allow them to move around comfortably.

Temperature

Maintaining proper brooder temperatures is crucial for the health and feather development of chicks. The ideal temperature varies with the chick's age, decreasing by about 5 degrees each week. For the first week, the brooder temperature should be set at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Observe the chicks' behaviour to adjust the temperature: if they huddle together, they are cold and need more heat; if they move away from the heat source, they are too hot.

Housing

The brooder housing should be made of sturdy materials and be large enough to accommodate the chicks as they grow. It should also be secure and protect the chicks from predators. Common brooder housing options include large totes, kiddie pools, tubs, cardboard boxes, and dog crates or playpens (with hardware cloth or cardboard lining to prevent escapes and protect from predators). Ensure the brooder's floor surface is not slippery, as this can cause leg and foot deformities.

Bedding and Cleanliness

The brooder bedding should be dry and absorbent to prevent hypothermia and maintain hygiene. Pine shavings are a recommended bedding material, while cedar shavings should be avoided due to their harmful oils. Coop Recuperate™ can be used over pine shavings to keep the brooder dry, fresh, and odour-free. Regular cleaning is essential to prevent disease and maintain the health of the chicks. Keep the brooder clean and dry by removing wet litter and replacing it with fresh, dry bedding as needed.

Feeding and Watering

Provide adequate feeders and waterers, ensuring they are easily accessible to the chicks and kept clean and sanitised. During the first week, keep the feeders full, and gradually decrease the amount of feed each week until they are half full at all times to reduce waste. Use shallow pans, egg flats, or paper squares as temporary feeders for the first few days, and introduce regular feeders from the second day onwards.

Heat Source

A reliable heat source is necessary for the chicks' warmth and comfort. While heat lamps are a popular option, they carry a fire risk. A safer alternative is a radiant heat panel, which provides warmth without the fire hazard. A brooder guard ring can be placed around the brooding area for the first few days to keep the chicks close to the heat source and prevent chilling.

By meeting these brooder requirements, you can provide a healthy and comfortable environment for your chicks during their critical first weeks of life.

Feeding and watering

When it comes to feeding and watering chicks, there are several important things to keep in mind. Firstly, newly hatched chicks must have access to clean water and be kept well-fed. Dipping their beaks into the water will help them find it, and they will quickly learn. It is important to ensure that they are drinking water before they start eating, as this can help prevent sticky bottoms, especially when the feed is commercially formulated chick starter.

To water your chicks, it is recommended to use a dedicated chick waterer, rather than an open dish or bowl, as chicks can drown in bowls and spill them over, making the bedding in the brooder excessively wet. A BriteTap chicken waterer is a good option, as it is fully covered and the chicks drink from small valves at the bottom, preventing drowning and contamination. The waterer should be the correct size for the flock's size and age—chicks should not be able to tip it over or roost over it. The basin should be high enough to keep the water level between the chick's eye and the height of its back, allowing the chick to drink more and spill less.

For the first week, it is recommended to provide 18-22 hours of light, reducing to 16 hours through the growing period or until they are 20 weeks old. During this time, the temperature under the heat lamp should be 95 degrees Fahrenheit, with adequate room for the chicks to move away from the heat if they get too warm. After the first week, gradually reduce the heat by 5 degrees Fahrenheit each week until reaching a minimum of 50-55 degrees.

Regarding food, it is important to buy the right formulation for your chicks as they grow. Start with a chick starter feed from day one through week 18, which should have a high (20%) protein content to support growth and feather development. Meat birds should have an even higher protein content (20-24%) to promote muscle growth. Starter feeds come in small pieces called crumbles, while adult chicken food comes in larger pellets. Do not feed layer ration to chicks, as the high calcium content can damage their kidneys. If you run out of starter feed, you can make an emergency ration by blending scratch grains or uncooked oatmeal and cornmeal, but only use this temporarily as it lacks the protein, vitamins, and minerals that chicks need.

For the first few days, use shallow pans, egg flats, or squares of paper as temporary feeders, placing small piles of feed on them so the chicks can find the food more easily. On the second day, introduce regular feeders, ensuring there is enough space for all chicks to eat at once. Keep feeders full during the first week, then gradually decrease the amount of feed each week until they are half full at all times to reduce waste.

As chicks mature, their nutritional needs change. At 18 weeks, transition layer chicks to a higher-calcium complete feed when they begin laying eggs. For meat birds and mixed flocks, choose a complete feed with 20% protein from day one through adulthood.

Some people choose to supplement their chick's water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per gallon, as this is said to promote good gut health and enhance immunity. Vegetable scraps can also be given as a "dessert course", but ensure they are ripped into small pieces and from soft vegetables like leafy greens.

Coop transition

Chicks need to be transitioned from the brooder to the chicken coop slowly and deliberately. The transition is stressful for chickens, and they will need time to adjust to their new home.

The best time to transition chicks from the brooder to the chicken coop is between 6 and 8 weeks of age. At this stage, most chicks are fully feathered, which allows them to regulate their body temperature. However, the timing of the transition depends on various factors, including the outdoor temperature and the presence of older flock members in the coop.

If the outdoor temperature is above 65°F (or 50°F for cold-tolerant breeds), chicks that are at least 6 weeks old can move into the coop without supplemental heat. It is important to ensure that the chicks have time to adjust to their new surroundings and understand that the coop is their permanent home.

Before transitioning the chicks to the coop, it is recommended to gradually increase the time they spend in an open pen or run, allowing them to explore their new environment. This can be done by placing a brooder or portable pet carrier inside the coop and opening it to let the chicks venture out. It is crucial to ensure that the chicks have access to food and water during this process.

When introducing chicks to the coop, it is important to maintain sanitation and biosecurity measures. This includes regularly cleaning and disinfecting feeders and waterers, as well as removing manure, wet litter, and old feed waste to prevent the spread of disease.

If there are already older flock members in the coop, it is recommended to wait until the chicks are closer in size to the mature birds before integrating them into the flock. This helps to minimize conflict and stress and reduces the risk of smaller birds being hurt by normal pecking-order behavior. The Playpen Method is a recommended approach for a low-stress and low-conflict merger.

Overall, the key to a successful coop transition for chicks is to ensure that they have time to adjust to their new surroundings gradually and that their basic needs for shelter, warmth, food, and water continue to be met.

Space and temperature

Space Requirements

Chicks need adequate space to move away from the heat if they get too warm and to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to smothering. During the first six weeks of age, each chick requires 0.8 to 1.0 square feet of floor space. After this period, they will need twice the floor space to accommodate their rapid growth.

Temperature Control

Maintaining proper temperatures is essential for the health and well-being of chicks. The ideal temperature for a brooder is around 90°F, and it should be measured at the outer edge of the hover or heat lamp, 4 to 6 inches above the floor. The temperature should decrease by 5° each week after the first week to a minimum of 65°F as the chicks grow and become better at regulating their body temperature.

It is important to observe the behaviour of the chicks to determine if the temperature is correct. If the chicks are huddled together under the heat source, they are likely cold. On the other hand, if they are stationed around the edges of the box or brooder guard and panting, they may be too hot.

When transitioning chicks from a brooder to a chicken coop, it is generally recommended to wait until they are at least six weeks old and the outdoor temperature is above 50°F to 65°F, depending on the breed. This transition should be gradual, allowing the chicks time to acclimate to their new surroundings and explore their new home.

Health and safety

Space

Baby chicks require about 1 square foot of floor space per chick for the first few weeks of their life. As they mature, this space should increase to 2 to 3 square feet per chick to support healthy growth and behaviour. This expansion allows them to engage in natural behaviours like stretching and flapping their wings without feeling cramped. It also promotes healthy behaviour, reduces stress, and prevents aggression.

Temperature

Brooder temperature is crucial for chicks to stay healthy and to rapidly feather. The brooder temperature will decrease with each week of age. Before the chicks arrive, the heat source in the brooder should be adjusted to provide a temperature of 90°F at chick level. This should be reduced by 5° each week after the first week to a minimum of 65°F. The behaviour of the chicks can indicate whether the brooder temperature is correct. For example, if chicks huddle together under the heat source, they are cold, and if they station themselves around the edges of the box, they may be too hot.

Food and Water

Chicks should have access to food and water at all times. Feeders and waterers should be placed conveniently throughout the pen for birds' access. Feeders should be kept full during the first week, and the level of feed can be decreased a little each week after this until they are half full at all times to reduce feed waste. It is important to keep the brooder house clean and dry to prevent the spread of disease. Wet feed and litter is a breeding ground for disease.

Hygiene

Hygiene is critical to the health and safety of chicks. The brooder house should be kept clean and dry to prevent the spread of disease. Wet feed and litter is a breeding ground for disease, so spilled water should be cleaned up, and wet or caked litter should be removed and replaced with clean, dry litter. Feeders and waterers should be kept free of litter and droppings, and thoroughly cleaned and refilled daily or more often if necessary.

Transitioning to a Coop

Chicks should be transitioned to a coop at 6 to 8 weeks old, allowing for at least 4 square feet of indoor space per bird and a minimum of 10 square feet of outdoor space. The transition from the brooder to the chicken coop should be made slowly so chicks can acclimate to their new home.

Frequently asked questions