Anyone else buy their chicks before they had a coop?

[chickiepie]

We bought our chicks without a coop too! At least we know it'll have to get done ASAP, right?!

 

[suzyQlou]

Ah, it's so nice to have company! I figure my garage is a nice, big, comfy coop for the foreseeable future. Shhhhh. Don't tell dh I said that, lol.

 

[catchthewind]

Quote:
Hehe. I posted a picture of my daughter watching TV with a chicken on her lap on Facebook, and one of my friends was shocked that we would let the chickens in the living room. I didn't mention that the whole brooder is actually in the living room.

Though we actually have two living rooms sort of, and the one they're in is pretty closed off from the rest of the house.

 

[FlowerFarmer]

Quote:
I just lost a chick last week to a hawk attack... that I actually witnessed. Unfortuantely my dog wasnt out protecting the yard and followed me inside for a minute ( my mistake.. because someone was watching) Make it secure.. and if you're fortunate enough to have a good dog, leave her out with them

(we learn the hard way sometimes)

 

[Okie Amazon]

Another chicken before the coop here. My husband couldn't wait and bought 4 Buff Orps that were just starting to lay; we're getting an egg each from them most days. Then I saw the Black Cochin trio at the flea mkt and HAD to have them! The babies: 10 guinea keets, 6 Barred Rocks, 6 RIRs, 6 (what were sold as Ameracauna, but now I find are EEs!) and a dozen Buffs. Still no coop and the guineas are about to fly around our heads during dinner. Maybe this weekend!

 

[montanasandy]

Quote:
You just need to prepare. Where we live we also have a lot of wildlife. Bears, coyotes, hawks, eagles, mountain lions, etc....Our coop it very secure. Hardware cloth on the run, the hardware cloth is also run out 3 feet so nothing can dig in. We don't leave food out in the run area, keep it in the coop only. Chickens go into the coop at night and door is closed and secure. I do let them free range, but only when I can keep a close eye on them. They are smart, they run for cover even if a raven flies over.

With several precautions you should be just fine.

 

[vtgirls]

With our first chicks we built a little 4x4 coop just in time, all cute and cozy.....
Then last fall we built a little bigger coop (2 levels, each 5x7)and put some turkeys in to over winter them (with a covered run of course).
Now we are building the addition to that coop in the garage in pieces to assemble when the ground thaws - the floor and one wall are done (its 8x10).
Went from only 6 chicks originally ordered last May to having 11 now, plus 5 turkeys.
Next week to arrive: 15 new layers, 15 new turkeys and 30 meaties.

Umm - chicken math????

 

[Nicole01]

Whew, I'm not alone.

It looks like hubby will need to build the coop. No free coop here. We will start this weekend.

. I don't mind the chicks in the house whatsoever. When they outgrow their brooder, which will be soon, I will put the two xlarge dog crates together and hang out in there. I'm positive the dogs will not mind since they prefer not to be kenneled.

 

[Kitt]

I was so glad to see this post. Now I know I'm not the only one with fuzzies before the coop. LOL I have 2 more to do..one before next Thursday.

Still have time to do one for my silkies.

 

[TouchO'Lass]

LOL at SueCHick! "I thought it was just standard procedure to build the coop while you have chicks in the brooder. Are you suggesting that you could build a coop BEFORE buying chickens?"
Yep, It's been hard enough getting outside in these still chilly days (Northern Wash), and I've been busy building raised garden beds when it was nice out. BUUUUTTT my chicks got here this morning, so I'm hoping that will be my motivation!

I HAVE been drawing different coop designs for over a month. Does that count?