Well as regards winter, that is actually optimistic on my part. We had almost NO snow or rain last winter in Salida! And not much rain here, even in the summer, until July. The Arkansas River Valley in Chaffee County is normally a very dry place, but last winter had to have been a record. However, it can get very cold here occasionally during the winter, so I want to plan for the worst.
I will send good wishes for your first egg! At least you have your chickens! What is your coop like? We've been rehabbing a vintage 1947 travel trailer that was left on our property, probably for decades. But it was in good enough shape to move (drag) and rehab, and it will be our coop. It's going to be cute.