by H. L. Enos* (10/18)
Quick Facts…
- Proper brooding temperatures are necessary for chicks to be healthy and to rapidly feather. The brooder temperature will decrease with each week of age.
- All poultry requires a minimum amount of square feet in coops, runs and cages that increases with age to maintain health and to prevent social problems. They also require a certain amount of space at feeders and waterers.
Brooding Temperatures
Proper conditions are necessary for baby poultry changes during the first weeks of life. Ensure baby poultry are dry and bedding materials are not wet. Hypothermia due to wet conditions is one of the most common causes of baby poultry deaths in small farms. Poultry flock owners should strive to follow the suggested temperatures in the chart below by regulating heat in the brooding unit. The temperatures should be measured at the outer edge of the hover (a canopy type brooding unit/lamp) 4 to 6 inches (10.2 to 15.2 centimeters) above the floor. Room temperature should not be over 75°F (23.9°C) during the first few weeks. It is advisable to keep room temperature in the correct range to encourage rapid feathering of the chicks. If weather conditions change outside of the brooding unit, attend quickly to temperatures to see if adjustments need to be made.
| Age | Brooding Temperature |
| 0 to 1 week | 93° to 95°F (33.9° to 35°C) |
| 1 to 2 weeks | 88° to 90°F (31.1° to 32.2°C) |
| 2 to 3 weeks | 83° to 85°F (28.3° to 29.4°C) |
| 3 to 4 weeks | 78° to 80°F (25.6° to 26.7°C) |
| 4 to 5 weeks | 75°F (23.9°C) |
| 5 to 6 weeks | 70°F (21.1°C) |
| 6 weeks and over | Comfort Zone 50° to 70°F (10° to 21.1°C) |
Space Requirements for Poultry
Chickens
Per Bird
| Square feet* of space | Linear inches* of trough/100 birds | ||||
| Weeks of Age | Floor | Cage | Feeder | Waterer | |
| Brooding | 0-4 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1 1/2 | 24 |
| Growing | 4-12 | 1 | 3/4 | 2 1/2 | 48 |
| Roasters | 8-12 | 2 | 1 | 2 1/2 | 48 |
| 12-16 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 48 | |
| Replacements | 8-12 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 48 |
| 12-21 | 2 1/2 – 3 | 1 | 4 | 60 | |
| Layers | |||||
| Leghorn type | 21+ | 2 1/2 – 3 | 1 | 4 | 60 |
| Dual-purpose | 21+ | 3 – 3 1/2 | 1 | 4 | 60 |
|
Size of cage
(inches)* W X D X H |
Birds per cage
(Number) |
||
| Typical laying cages (dependent on breed) |
21+ |
9 X 14 X 18
18 X 14 X 18 32 X 30 X 18 |
1
2 3 – 5 |
Turkeys
Per Bird
| Square feet* of space | Linear inches* of trough/100 birds | ||||
| Weeks of Age | Floor | Cage | Feeder | Waterer | |
| Brooding | |||||
| Small type | 0-8 | 1 | — | 1 1/2 | 30 |
| Grow-out | 8-18 | 2 1/2 | — | 3 | 60 |
| Brooding | |||||
| Large type | 0-8 | 1 | — | 2 | 30 |
| Grow-out | 8-18 | 2 1/2 | — | 3 | 60 |
| Finishing | |||||
| Hens | 16-20 | 3 | — | 4 | 80 |
| Toms | 16-24 | 5 | — | 4 | 80 |
| Exterior Yards/Runs | ||
| Sq. Ft. | ||
| Chickens | Mature | 10 |
| Turkeys | Mature | 20 |
*To convert to metrics, use these equivalents – 1 square foot = .083 square meter; 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters.
