because cozy doesn't make itself
because cozy doesn't make itself
Choosing a Coop, Essential Upgrades, and Meeting Our Lavender & Chocolate Orpington Pullets
If there's one thing the last few years have taught us, it's the value of being prepared. Nothing extreme, nothing doomsday—just the simple peace of mind that comes from knowing your home and your family can function independently for a period of time. My husband and I have been working toward a realistic goal: being able to shelter in place for 30 days if we ever needed to.
And that leads us to the most unexpectedly joyful part of this whole plan…
We Got Backyard Chickens.
Six fluffy, sassy, absolute characters who have already taken over our hearts—and our backyard.
But before they moved in, there was a lot of research, a few rabbit holes, and one big decision: choosing the right coop.
We started with the big question: build or buy?
After hours of YouTube videos, Reddit threads, and "this looks easy!" Pinterest posts (it wasn't), we realized that building from scratch just wasn't realistic right now. We wanted our chickens safe, warm, predator-proofed, and ready to move in as quickly as possible.
So we purchased a prefab coop from Wayfair.com—a simple, affordable starting point that we could modify and make our own. And modify, we absolutely did.
Prefab coops are like IKEA furniture for chickens: cute, functional… and absolutely in need of upgrades.
Here's what we added:
(Because the stock ones? A raccoon with a GED could bust them open.)
Total game changer. Opens at sunrise, closes at dusk—no stress if we're running behind.
For late-night check-ins and a bit of extra warmth on cold evenings.
So we can peek in on the girls anytime, especially during storms or their first few nights adjusting.
These upgrades transformed a basic prefab into a safe, functional, long-term home for our flock.
Once the coop was ready, we adopted six Orpington pullets—and they are everything.
We brought home:
Soft, silvery lavender fluffballs that look like tiny Victorian ladies with opinions.
Rich brown feathers, super calm, super friendly, and already obsessed with following us around the yard.
Orpingtons are one of the best beginner-friendly breeds because they're:
Our girls won't be laying for a few more months, but we're already counting down to that first magical egg. Not just for food security—though that's a big piece of our shelter-in-place plan—but because raising them has already become an unexpected joy.
Being able to shelter in place isn't just about storing food—it's about building sustainable systems.
Fresh eggs provide:
And honestly? The routine of caring for them has brought a rhythm and calm into our days that we didn't expect.
Chickens are just Part 1.
Here's what's coming next:
This whole journey is about capability—not fear. It's about creating a home that supports us, sustains us, and feels like a safe, steady place in a chaotic world.
And with two Lavender and four Chocolate Orpingtons happily settling into their upgraded coop, we're officially on our way.
A montage of setting up the coop and bringing our girls home for the first time!