Chicken coop

My coop arrived in Topeka by freight line.  I received free shipping to Topeka so I drove over and picked it up.  It fit in my Subaru and I headed home and put it in my garage until we have some nicer weather to set it up.  I ordered it from mypetchicken.com.  It is the saltbox coop.  The website says it only takes 45 minutes to set it up with one person or 30 minutes with two people and the only tool you need is a screwdriver...we'll see.  Maybe Sue will come over and help me!  Hint hint. 
I have a box set up in my basement bathroom with an infrared heat lamp and the food and water containers.  The chicks will use this space until they are about 2 months old then the weather will be warmer and they can be transitioned outside.

creating the home sweet home for the chicks

I am planning on raising four chicks, 3 breeds; buff orpington, australorp, speckled sussex.  The box should be large enough for the chicks to move around but not get lost.  They should be able to move in and out of the heat from the lamp.  The infrared bulb will be suspended 17" from the floor to maintain the temperature for the chicks at 95 degrees for the first week.  The bulb will be raised and the temperature increased by 5 degrees each week until it reaches 70 degrees.

Prepare a suitable home for the arrival of the chicks

Items you will need:
A safe space free from drafts and predators
An infrared heat lamp, 250 watt red bulb
A watering container (specifically for chicks; they can drown if you just provide a bowl)
A feeding container (chicks will not over eat so make sure they have food 24/7)
A box to keep them contained ~2 sq ft per chick