Well you will be more prepared then we where! We didn't have the coop built when we got ours, then stayed in the house five weeks with us! We had them in a metal stock tank. Needless to say they learn to fly really fast, and we had to shampoo our carpet. Next spring they will go out after three weeks. Well I am glad I can help. That's. Cool story, how long did it take to be able to get the coonhoud?