Got chicks for the first time... Want input/advice

[Hopperkiller]

One thing i would definitely add is shade. Never made it to nebraska but i bet you do have some hot days. As previously mentioned added ventilation. Getting out of the direct sun they will go into the coop. 55 gallon plastic barrels cut in half make good container pots. I did that and it helped. I cant post here but do have them on my album pics. The only thing chicken wire will stop is birds. Coyotes will defeat it as will other predators.

 

[beccaWA]

If you can't tell in the picture the front of the coop there is a hatch that opens inward, it was at one point a concessions shed. I plan on putting chicken wire over it and leaving it open during the day.

I would use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire. (For predation) Raccoons can climb, and I know it probably gets hot enough in Nebraska that you are going to want to keep that window open at night for ventilation. Even when it's cold, chickens need ventilation.

 

[gtighe]

I would use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire. (For predation) Raccoons can climb, and I know it probably gets hot enough in Nebraska that you are going to want to keep that window open at night for ventilation. Even when it's cold, chickens need ventilation.

I actually plan on leaving that closed at night just for the fact of the predators, There are vents in the shed already

 

[rosemarythyme]

I actually plan on leaving that closed at night just for the fact of the predators, There are vents in the shed already

How much sq ft in vents do you have with the window closed? I don't see anything other than a small one up top by the door. You want a minimum of 1 sq ft per bird or 10% of floor space in vents, whichever is greater.