Glad to meet you, Anne. What an exciting project for you and your husband. Congratulations on your new home and birds both! Enjoy the chicken journey! You will have so much fun. Best wishes for your little farm, your birds, and all your plans.
To read more about coop construction and predator protection, check out forums and articles. You might also talk to other folks in your area about local conditions of climate and predators -- my brother lives in AZ and tells us that they have more dangerous plants and critters than any place he has lived. It does seem to vary by where in the state you are.