5 Things to Do Before Your Pullets Come Home
Pickup day is exciting. But the week before pickup day? That's where the real work happens. We've seen hundreds of new flock owners come through our farm, and the ones who have the smoothest start all have one thing in common: they were ready before the hens arrived.
Here's your pre-pickup checklist.
1. Get Your Coop Ready — Before Pickup Day
This sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people are still building their coop the night before. Your hens need to be able to walk in and settle immediately. Make sure you have:
- At least 4 sq ft per bird inside the coop
- At least 8–10 sq ft per bird in the run
- Roosting bars (2x4s laid flat work great)
- One nesting box per 3–4 hens
- Good ventilation — airflow near the roofline, no drafts at hen level
2. Use Hardware Cloth, Not Chicken Wire
Chicken wire keeps chickens in. It does not keep predators out. Hardware cloth is the only predator-proof option — use it on all openings and bury the apron 12 inches underground to stop diggers.
3. Have Feed and Water Ready to Go
Your pullets will be stressed from transport. The first thing they need when they arrive is access to fresh water and feed. Have your waterer filled and your feeder stocked before you leave for pickup. Use a grower feed (18–20% protein) until they begin laying, then switch to layer pellets.
4. Plan to Keep Them in the Coop for 2–3 Days
This is the step most people skip — and regret. Keeping new hens confined to the coop for the first 2–3 days teaches them that it's home base. After that, they'll return on their own at dusk. Skip this step and you'll be chasing hens at sunset.
5. Have a Transport Plan
Bring a secure container to pickup — a dog crate, ventilated Rubbermaid tote, or cardboard box all work. Plan for about 1 square foot per bird. If you need a box, we sell transport boxes for $3.00 that hold up to 6 hens.
Want More?
We put everything we know into The Learning Coop — free guides on breed selection, coop setup, feeding, flock health, and seasonal care. It's the resource we wish we'd had when we started.