Table: Minimum Space Requirements for Meat-Strain Birds

Minimum Space Requirements for Meat-Strain Birds

Age	Area of Floor Space^a	Area of Feeder Space^b	Number of Cups or Founts^b (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.