Brand new to chickens, very excited!

[RockNRollCHIX]

Hi there. I have volunteered to be the chicken caretaker for some family members who have built a coop (sort of) and were about to dive in with no research. Their goal is to "create" the healthiest eggs they can. No corn, no soy, non-gmo organic, etc... In order for it to be a successful mission, I could see I needed to help, I have the time and more importantly the desire. Animal welfare is my main goal, so I am having their handyman add to and re-do what they have built so far. I'm adding nesting boxes with external access, a much bigger roosting area (he bought a pet shop box with no roosting bars and tiny nest boxes and set it on a platform inside the coop), and litter tray for easy cleaning.
Since I live a mile away and the coop is not visible from their house, I was thinking pullets to start? Chicks seem to require a decent amount of equipment and attention, so I thought maybe next season we try chicks... We're going to start with 3 birds, but there will be room for 6-8. (not allowed to have a rooster)
Is this a good plan or am I approaching it wrong?

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Welcome to BYC!
Good luck!

 

[Nomadicus]

Hello and Welcome to BYC. Glad to have you here with us in this fun and poultry loving community.

 

[Lovely Lettie]

Hello and welcome to BYC! It's great to have you here with us

 

[Tookie]

Welcome! We're glad to have you here. Good luck with your plans!

If you don't have the time, or you don't want to raise chicks, then get pullets. Chicks do require more attention.
But, chicks are fun to raise and have around! Plus you can bond with them more than older birds. The equipment required for chicks, would just be a brooder, a heat soure (brooder plate or heat lamp, I prefer brooder plates because of the fire hazard of lamps), and a waterer and a feeder. Those are the main things. Of course they need bedding too, such as pine shavings. But other than that its not a whole lot.
I also suggest getting more than 3 birds, just in case 2 die somehow, then you'd be left with one. Go for at least 4, or, just get the 6-8 like you were planning. More the better, lol! But do what you are comfortable with!
Since you aren't allowed roosters, its quite likely you could get one if you get chicks. So there is that downside.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Should be okay. Maybe you'll get lucky and one will go broody and you can give her hatching eggs.

 

[User690263]

Welcome to BYC! Feel free to make yourself right at home

 

[N F C]

Hello, glad to have you here! Your plan sounds ok to start with, maybe you can post pictures to show us your set up.

Thanks for joining us!

 

[CurlyChickenGirly]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you are here with us!

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

I can't imagine not being able to see the chickens though. Can they install some cameras? Since there won't be humans in the vicinity of the coop, can dogs or varments get to them? 1/2" HWC (hardware cloth) is pretty much standard for protection against critters getting in the coop or run.