we just got 7 chicks. we know not much. they are 7
weeks old. I want to build them a coop, but I'm not
sure what it must include. nest? shelter? etc...
we live in so. cal. 30 minutes north of downtown LA.
so it is usually pretty warm. our yard is sunny. I was
told they are all hens. we want to keep them for the
eggs. any suggestions? we need help.
thanks

Purchase or borrow a copy of Gail Damerow's "A Guide to Raising Chickens" - it's gat everything you need to know, including coop requirements. Good luck - it's a wonderful undertaking!

I have two dozen Rhode Island Reds but no housing. I am interested in finding a dealer in our area that, should I be interested in purchasing a coop, I could purchase instead of build.

I don't know what your area is, but if you want to purchase something, you might try one of those pre-fab tool and garden buildings. Make sure the floor is treated, not regular, plywood and put it up on blocks to keep the ground moisture out as much as possible. You will likely have to put windows in it. If it does not come with guttering, that's a good idea, too. They tend to be a little costly, so we build our own. We can build a solid 8X12 for about $500, depending on the cost of materials, and things are higher now. If you're prone to wind, you might consider lashing it down or anchoring it some way. Hope this helps.