MSD Manual

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Minimum Space Requirements for Meat-Strain Birds

Minimum Space Requirements for Meat-Strain Birds

Age

Area of Floor Spacea

Area of Feeder Spaceb

Number of Cups or Fountsb (per 1,000 birds)

From 1 day old

5-sq-ft heated brooder/100 chicks

10 trays/1,000 chicks (feed little and often)

8

From 1 wk old

1 sq ft/bird

2 in./bird

20

From 8 wk old

2 sq ft/bird

4 in./bird

30

Mated adults

All litter: 3 sq ft/bird; ½–⅔ slats: 2¼ sq ft/bird

4 in./bird

30 (60 in hot weather)

aBroiler production programs are relatively prescriptive with regard to space requirements, and specific recommendations should be consulted. Provided here are general guidelines.

b For feeder and drinking-trough space, both sides of the trough should be counted. Drinking-trough space (all ages) is 1 in. (2.5 cm) per bird; in hot weather, however, that requirement is doubled for adults.