Who else had their chicks BEFORE they built their coop?

[Cetawin]

*raises hand* Yup I had the chicks, and another set of chicks before I had the coop built. LOL

 

[TK Poultry]

I'm just now building my first "coop" and I've had chickens and ducks since 2008!! I had them in dog pens and T post and welded wire pens all with dog houses. So now I've finally decided to actually build some mini coops for the chickens! I order my first ducklings from a hatchery WAY before I even thought about preparing. My first brooder was a card board condo thing I built in my garage! it was crazy. Now I have a rabbit hutch brooder and rubbermaid tubs but I had no idea what to do at first.

Its kind of a pathetic story now that I think about it

 

[WriterofWords]

I didn't intend to have chickens, I got home to a box of chicks on my doorstep,,, then I joined BYC, the chicks lived in the house and then a dog travel kennel,, then a playhouse!

 

[kimbalaya]

My chicks spent the last 6 months at a friend's house because our coops wasn't finished. We got them with every intention of building their coop last summer but when they were about 12 weeks old we still didn't have our coop built and we were going out of town. Friends about a mile away had just built their new coop, so the one their chickens had been in had just become vacant, so we "sub-let" their coop space while ours was being built. Our chickens are finally home, as of 4 nights ago. They are almost 10 months old now. Sure was thankful for our friends having that old coop!

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I had a dog house in which I was going to use for my ....hmmph, 3 chicks.

Now I have a 10 x 14 coop and 17 chickens. My DH has said more than once that I planned it that way (get the chicks then we HAVE to build the coop).
Honestly, I didn't plan it that way...my chicken math just isn't that good.

 

[Bluesidian]

I had 4 chicks that i carried in the pocket of my bathrobe in the mornings to worm them up lol WAY before i had a coop or run for them.

 

[NanaLantana]

Yup, me too. I got the chicks kinda on the spur of the moment, knowing I had to build the coop. But, hey, they're confined to a box with a light for a couple weeks, right? So when they're a week old and still surviving and growing, I start my coop. I used all 'recycled stuff - an old truck topper (5ft x 6ft) for the roof, 4 x 4's someone gave me, recycled 2x4's, my neighbor's unused 2x4" welded wire fencing and posts, screws, hinges, clasps and staples I had hanging around, etc. I think the only thing I bought were the fittings for the automatic waterer. Oh, and later, when the chicks could actually SLEEP in the coop, I bought the flashing to make the slanted 'poop slide'.

I'm very happy with my little coop, it suits my needs very well. And I built it about 15 feet outside my back door, for ease of use, and enjoyment of my chickens.

Before the coop was finished, I was taking them outside for short 'playtimes' and placed them in a chicken-wire fenced garden, 4x8ft. They loved it. I covered this with a sheet, attached to the wire by clothespins! After 2 weeks in the coop, I had the outdoor run completed. It's 6ft tall except under the foliage, there it's 4ft tall.

 

[TigerLilly]

I'm still working on getting a coop...still using my TEMPORARY dog kennels till I actually get a coop/barn built. Have had the chicks for about 8 months or so!

 

[Sinfonian]

WOW! I hate to say this, but reading all your wonderful stories makes me feel much better about not having my coop done yet. They'll be inside for another 2 months or so, and the coop we're building isn't THAT complex, but it will be the first major building project I've done. No worries, right?

Anyway, thanks for the words of encouragement. Hey, if it worked out for all of you, then I'm golden!

Keep 'em comin'!

 

[allpeepedout]

Coof roof is now framed out and has OSB (and blue tarps) on it, one of which I retrieved from the neighbor's yard yesterday. Chicks will be 5 weeks Monday, enjoying the family room.