Skip to content
Homestead Toolbelt

Raising Meat Chickens: Feed, Space & Processing Timeline

Chicken feed calculator

Pre-filled for 25 birds — layers eat ~0.25 lb/bird/day.

Enter flock size to estimate feed.

Broiler chickens grow rapidly to market weight in 6 to 8 weeks. A batch of 25 birds can fill a family freezer in one season with careful feed management and timely processing.

Feed needs

Broilers consume about 0.33 lb per bird per day. Over an 8-week grow-out that totals roughly 18.5 lb per bird.

Space requirements

Meat birds need 2.5 sq ft of sheltered floor space and 6 sq ft of outdoor area per bird. A batch of 25 requires at least 62.5 sq ft of shelter.

Water needs

Broilers drink about 0.08 gal per bird per day, increasing in hot weather. Keep waterers clean and filled at all times to support fast growth.

Tips for success

  • Move broiler tractors daily on pasture to keep ground fresh and reduce disease pressure.
  • Feed a 20–22% protein broiler starter for the first 3 weeks, then switch to a grower ration.
  • Process at 6–8 weeks while Cornish Cross birds are still healthy enough to move well.

Common mistakes

  • Letting broilers go past 10 weeks — leg problems and heart failure increase sharply.
  • Using layer feed (16% protein) for broilers, which slows growth and wastes money.

Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.

Frequently asked questions

How much feed does a broiler eat in its lifetime?
About 18 lb over 8 weeks at 0.33 lb/day. Feed conversion is approximately 2:1.
How much space do meat chickens need?
At least 2.5 sq ft of shelter and 6 sq ft of run per bird.
When should I process broilers?
Cornish Cross birds reach 5–6 lb live weight at 6–8 weeks. Process before 10 weeks to avoid health issues.

Related tools & pages