How to raise Backyard Chickens: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Cage size

If you will be raising Cornish Cross meat birds (the only ones that finish decent in 8 weeks), don't waste any effort putting perches in. These birds won't do much besides eat, drink, and poop and won't use any sort of perches anyway. Elevated perches can be a detriment in their final week or so as they get so heavy that their frame will often not support them jumping off anything without hurting themselves internally. You can get away with 10x10 for two dozen birds. Put their feed at one end and their water at the other to encourage them to move about some. Make sure the pen is easily accessible for you as they do do create an incredible amount of manure in the last half of their short lives and you will need to stir and/or add to the bedding daily.
Mark

Laura,

That was an excellent link. It explains exactly what I need. So I am also
thinking that I wouldn't necessarily need a "coop" . I am thinking that I
can get a 10x10 kennel with some type of roof and put pieces of wood across
from side to side at varying levels for them to perch on. And like the
kennel I have for my egg layers, I can put tarps up to protect from wind and
blowing rain. Since they are only going to be around for about 8 weeks.
What do you think?

Valerie in Va.

From: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Laura A. Roberts
Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 12:26 PM
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [CHICKENS-101] Cage size

Hi Valerie,

I typed in on Google search, "Square footage needed for
chickens" and got back LOADS of websites.

Here is the answer from one, from
http://www.chicken-ark.net/building-chicken-coops/

. Chicks up to 10 weeks of age will need less than 1 square foot of
floor space and thereafter about 1.5 to 2.0 square feet. Layers of brown
eggs will generally need more floor space than white egg layers, ranging
from 2.0 to 2.5 square feet. White egg layers will require 1.5 to 2.0 square
feet. Laying chickens that are meat-type breeders require more area, about
2.5 to 3.0 square feet.

We are considering this, too. Let me know how it goes!

When are you going to come visit?

Laura