Space is one of the cheapest inputs on a poultry farm — and skimping on it is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. Overcrowding stalls growth, spreads disease and causes pecking. Here's how much room your broilers actually need.

1. The rule of thumb

On deep litter (birds kept on the floor on bedding), allow roughly 0.1 square metres per bird — that's about 10 birds per square metre. In hot climates, give a little more; heavy birds near market weight need more than young chicks.

  • Day-old to 2 weeks: it's fine to keep them closer together under the heat source, with room to spread as they grow.
  • 3 weeks to market: full floor space — don't let them crowd.

2. Why crowding costs you

  • Slow growth — competition for feed and water.
  • Disease — damp litter and poor air move faster through a crowded flock.
  • Pecking and cannibalism — stress-driven.
  • Heat build-up — more birds, more body heat.

3. Signs you're overstocked

  • Birds crowding the feeders and drinkers.
  • Wet litter and a strong ammonia smell.
  • Weight lagging the broiler weight chart.
  • Feather pecking and fighting.

4. Getting it right

  • Calculate floor area and don't exceed ~10 birds per square metre.
  • Provide enough feeder and drinker space so birds don't queue.
  • Ventilate well — space means little if the air is stale.
  • Plan the house size for the flock you'll finish, not the chicks you start.

Space problems usually show up first as slow growth — see our guide to common broiler growth problems, and get the start right with proper brooding.

Key takeaways

  • Allow ~10 birds per square metre on deep litter.
  • Give more space in hot climates and for heavier birds.
  • Crowding causes slow growth, disease and pecking.
  • Ventilate — space only works with good airflow.