Well yall are in the middle of a renovation now lol. Our coup is made of slag wood(cants) and recycled lumber and metal roofing. Birds are fairly tough, your county extension office, or if jack is interested, 4h will be able to get yall the Info for birds this spring. Ours usually live in a spare bathtub in a tote for a month or more before we kick them out. Those old apple crates you use in the garden would make a great brooder.
When we went on vacation in July we filled up a 55 gallon barrel of water and a deer feeder along with traditional feeders. The deer feeder was on a timer. They all made it except one I guess something got it.
I totally under stand the time it takes for critters. Our goat, sheep, and pigs are a pain when we need to be away for a few days. But it teaches my Littles some responsibility, where our food comes from, and how to keep them in pens as they usually get out. Plus we have a instant food source for bad times. Our feed bill has not been offset yet by money but when my kids enjoy picking eggs out, loving on a sheep, or oinkinging at the dirty pigs it is mostly worth it. Plus they all show their chickens, produce, eggs in our county fair too and get awarded for that as well.
Planning for them someday, perhaps spring,with repurposed stuff and a lean too style shed on a barn or building would work perfect.
