welcome to both of you! and seriously, this story is a tear jerker, holly cow I'm all chocked up!!
so, how can we help?
I will throw out a few nuggets from my childhood farm days and more recently my ongoing suburban dad chicken years.
-to incubate or do mail order day old chicks: incubation is fun, a learning experience and can be very rewarding but has it's complexity. you are more likely to end up with roosters, since eggs can not be sexed before they hatch. shipped eggs have lower fertility rates due to the bumps of shipping being hard on the suspensatory ligaments in the eggs. Day old chicks are remarkably amenable to being shipped since they have yolk left over inside them to tide them over, they do not need to eat or drink for up to 3 days, so often do quite well. best to get them early enough in the fall or late enough in the spring to avoid freezing temps.
-for brooding, go with Mother Heating Pad, skip the heat lamps!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/
-nipple waterers are awesome, less mess, less disease! I've found this one to be the best, no leaks:
http://www.atwoods.com/poultry-feeders-watering/cheery-chicks-chicken-kooler-35-gallon.htm
winter water heater: this one is super robust and comes recommended by the guy who designed the above waterer:
https://www.amazon.com/Allied-Preci...-fkmr0&keywords=heated+bucket+poultry+drinker
coop construction: avoid something called poultry netting for the exterior, it's simply not adequate to keep out rats/coons. hot dipped galvanized hardware cloth is the gold standard for exterior walls, ceiling and even under the dirt or at least down 2' into the ground (to keep out the diggers). use screws and washers as "come alongs" to synch up the hardware cloth at the seams and fasten using galvanized u-nails. I recommend significant eves/overhangs to keep water away from where the hardware cloth is underground so it doesn't rust out as quickly. the roost and the entire run should be covered in most climates, chickens do not benefit from getting wet. unless free ranged, it's best not to plant anything in their run, they will scratch it to a baron wasteland no matter what it is. the best covering I've found is UV resistant corregated roofing panels from Lowe's or Home depot. consider either translucent panels for the roost or a window, so as to keep them adjusted to the light for the winter days so they are more likely to keep laying eggs. as for the roost, it needs to be protected from wind more than being warm. as long as the chickens are protected from draft, they can adjust to the cold in most climates. that said, they do need adequate ventilation so that there is not a toxic build up of ammonia in the air, especially where they roost. if you live in a place that is super cold, then you will need to learn from your locals on how far to go to protect them.
-deep litter method: one of the best things I've gotten from this forum is the deep litter method. no need to try and keep them super clean, what is more important is the micro biome, the symbiotic bacteria that live in the soil and help keep it from getting toxic to chickens. read up on it, apply the wisdom of those who have come before you! the search is your friend: deep litter method DLM
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ards-or-in-addition-to.1084365/#post-16617071
coop placement: consider the heat and cold and winter wind. I like placing a coop where it gets mid day shade but morning and evening sun. the think to avoid is too much direct summer sun during hot whether, heat is hard on chickens and they need a cool refuge. they love to dust in a patch of sun beaming in from the side.
As for breed, there are so many to choose from. looking through them on line is fun but keep in mind they do have personality tendencies. If you want to be holding them regularly vs ones that are flighty and maybe not so cuddly, maybe consider Orpingtons, they are super friendly and produce nice big eggs, and are good winter layers. I've also found the speckled sussex to be a great layer and very friendly. there really isn't a right or wrong choice, but it's worth considering things like personality, winter egg laying, number of eggs annually etc.
hope that helps!
enjoy!!!!
