If you get a small tear in one of the bails and leave it outside where the water can get to it, the shavings expand, and the bale kinda explodes outward, tearing the rest of the plastic off, and making a real mess.
Don't ask me how I know this............nosirrebob.......
We're in the same predicament, new coop, no chickens. In our case I called a hatchery located in our home state and placed an order for a mix of day old brown layers that we will pick up next Tuesday after the hatch. Check Google for a hatchery in your area.
Man I really love your coop. Do you think the chain link fence will keep out the critters? I am in the process of building a run and still deciding on the type of wire to use myself.
I do fencing for a living so I have plenty of chain link was was afraid to use it for fear of the coons getting...