Greetings from Western NY

[DieselHen]

Howdy Everyone!
My wife and I plan to get chickens this summer and so I thought I better join for the inevitable thousand questions we're going to have. I've got about an acre of property in a country locale so neighbors and zoning aren't an issue. Right now I'm just trying to decide what kind of coop is right for us, and whether not I should fence off a large part of my backyard to give them free reign.

 

[redsoxs]

Howdy from Kansas, DieselHen, and

! Pleased to have you here!! Ask away - BYC is a helpful place!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!!

Glad to have you aboard!!

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Welcome to BYC!

Glad you are doing your research!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

I think fencing off a large area is a good thing - IF, the fence is strong enough to fend off some predators. Usually its someone dogs running loose that wipe out a flock, they just kill to have fun and won't even eat any of them. Owners tend to ignore the proof even if their dog is caught holding a mangled chicken (they'll say he just found it)

 

[DieselHen]

Thanks for the welcome everyone! Well I've built most of an A frame coop using these plans: http://ana-white.com/2012/05/plans/frame-chicken-coop I'm using one side of the coop for nesting and the other, I've put a 2 inch wide branch in for roosting. I've read Storey's Guide to Chickens and done a bunch of research online, but still...
Here are my questions I haven't been able to find great answers for:

1. As I mentioned, I'm in Western NY where we can see winters down to -10 and below. Will this coop be warm enough for my girls?

2. During the day while I'm at work, the girls will be able to forage on the ground, protected by the coop. Should I put chicken wire on the bottom as well to fully enclose them, or will that impede their foraging? At night, I'm going to lock them in the coop, so I'm not too worried about predators then, but while I'm gone during the day should I worry about an animal digging under the edges to get in?

3. My girls (6 of them - 2 RIR, 2 Speckled Sussex, 2 Plymouth Rock) are about 7 weeks old and just about fully feathered out. I want to put them out in it soon as they're outgrowing their brooding area, but it's supposed to be down to 38 degrees (F) the next few nights. Should I put their heat lamp in their with them or will they be OK?

That's all I can think of right now. Thanks in advance for helping this newbie out!

 

[DieselHen]

Oh goodness, that'd be terrible. I'll keep that in mind. Thanks. Maybe I'll just let them free range while I'm home...

 

[gander007]