Are you thinking "this summer, we'll build a coop and get some chickens"?
Start now! You do NOT need a coop!
We have raised hundreds of chickens from day old chicks and have never once started them "in a coop".
Your number one concern with newly hatched chicks is keeping them warm. This is because a chick cannot regulate its body temperature for at least 6 weeks and it takes 3 months for them to get all of their feathers. Until then, they need to be kept warm. All you need is an enclosure and a heat lamp.
Any 4 sided building that blocks the wind, e.g. garage, shed, playhouse, unused room in your house + heat lamp + box/corral for the chicks.
An extra large Sterilite tote works great and is easy to clean out bedding. Once they get bigger, an extra large dog cage can be used. Anything that keeps them enclosed.
Chickens start laying at about 6 months old. Get chicks now and you won't want or need a coop until April at the earliest. And you'll have laying chickens this summer!
Start now! You do NOT need a coop!
We have raised hundreds of chickens from day old chicks and have never once started them "in a coop".
Your number one concern with newly hatched chicks is keeping them warm. This is because a chick cannot regulate its body temperature for at least 6 weeks and it takes 3 months for them to get all of their feathers. Until then, they need to be kept warm. All you need is an enclosure and a heat lamp.
Any 4 sided building that blocks the wind, e.g. garage, shed, playhouse, unused room in your house + heat lamp + box/corral for the chicks.
An extra large Sterilite tote works great and is easy to clean out bedding. Once they get bigger, an extra large dog cage can be used. Anything that keeps them enclosed.
Chickens start laying at about 6 months old. Get chicks now and you won't want or need a coop until April at the earliest. And you'll have laying chickens this summer!