For Chicago I would have an insulated roof, and make sure the roofed run will easily shed snow.I'm interested in building a coop based on the Wichita Cabin design, but have a question about roofing material. I've seen some that use "clear" roofing material and wondering how that affects heat in the coop. I'm in Chicago, so it seems like it might be good for warming the coop in winter, but would it get too hot in the summer. There are trees around where I'm planning to build it, so maybe that would help in the summer.
Thoughts?
Chicago has crazy hot summers then cold winters .. so I would either
1. go with removable plexiglass panels to wall the 2 long walls of the run, keep the short end open. Put them up in winter, take them down in spring. Just having the sun get to go through the panels, with the wind blocked, will create some heat and a great area for your girls.
2. Same configuration as above, but use clear tarps or shower curtains to block 2 sides.