Babies coming in 19 days!!! What else can I do to prepare for them?

[Allie Grace Sanders]

Thanks everyone. If, by any chance, I can get the coop here by Feb. 22, I can move the chickens I already have to the new coop, and brood the babies in the old smaller coop. But I will probably end up getting some more brooder boxes. If I'm brooding them in 3 different boxes, do I need to rotate the chicks every day?

 

[Kiki]

What size is the old small coop?
Rotate them?
Do you mean mixing them up each day?
I'm not sure that is a good idea.

 

[Kiki]

Have you already ordered and paid for these new chicks?

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

What size is the old small coop?
Rotate them?
Do you mean mixing them up each day?
I'm not sure that is a good idea.

The coop is 3 1\2 x 4 ft. Yes, that is what I mean.

Have you already ordered and paid for these new chicks?

Yes.

 

[lazy gardener]

That coop is big enough for exactly 3.5 chickens. You have a huge problem on your hands, unless you can build a nice big coop within the next few weeks.

 

[Kiki]

The coop is 3 1\2 x 4 ft. Yes, that is what I mean.
Yes.

I hate to nit pick you and I am not trying to be ugly here, I really am just curious.
How many birds do you currently have?
With these 18 coming is this new coop going to even be big enough?
18 chicks turns into 18 big birds pretty fast.

 

[Kiki]

I

The coop is 3 1\2 x 4 ft. Yes, that is what I mean.
Yes.

I would not rotate them...I would think that would cause more problems.

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

I hate to nit pick you and I am not trying to be ugly here, I really am just curious.
How many birds do you currently have?
With these 18 coming is this new coop going to even be big enough?
18 chicks turns into 18 big birds pretty fast.

I have nine birds currently. Everyone is happy in the tiny coop (prefab), but I know they need more space. Last year I got ten chicks, a puppy ate one, and the neighbor's dog killed another. I got a cockerel that needed rehomed. I think the coop will be big enough, it was formerly used as an office.

 

[Kiki]

You are not going to like this and again I don't say it rudely, but you should cancel your order.
Get your new coop FIRST and make sure you have enough room.
Trying to integrate birds when not having enough room is going to be a nightmare.

 

[lazy gardener]

That coop is big enough for 3.5 chickens.