I just noticed you are new to the forum, where are my manners. Welcome to the forum. I like your screen name, it shows a sense of humor.
I don't know what you have to work with up in Michigan. Some of us raise the chicks in the coop from Day 1, even in the winter, but you need power out there to do that. What does that outbuilding look like, we like photos. If we know better what you have to work with we may be able to offer better suggestions. That building could be perfect.
Chickens can make a mess, so protect your house or wherever you put them. A fairly easy way to create a large brooder is to lay a sheet of plywood or a large piece of cardboard on the floor and make a brooder out of a large cardboard box. You can often get a large appliance box at an appliance store. If they outgrow that brooder, tape two large boxes together.
Even in your Michigan winters you should be able to have them outside without heat at 6 weeks of age. The coop will need decent ventilation up high but good breeze protection down low where they are. It also helps to acclimatize them, get them used to cold weather. It can be a pain but if you can take them outside for short periods of time that will help acclimatize them. It would be nice if you could keep them in a cool or even cold place and just provide a warm place for them to go to when they need to warm up. A broody hen can raise her chicks even with snow on the ground, the chicks can handle cold pretty well if they have a place to warm up. That outbuilding may be a real good choice.
Good luck and once again,
I don't know what you have to work with up in Michigan. Some of us raise the chicks in the coop from Day 1, even in the winter, but you need power out there to do that. What does that outbuilding look like, we like photos. If we know better what you have to work with we may be able to offer better suggestions. That building could be perfect.
Chickens can make a mess, so protect your house or wherever you put them. A fairly easy way to create a large brooder is to lay a sheet of plywood or a large piece of cardboard on the floor and make a brooder out of a large cardboard box. You can often get a large appliance box at an appliance store. If they outgrow that brooder, tape two large boxes together.
Even in your Michigan winters you should be able to have them outside without heat at 6 weeks of age. The coop will need decent ventilation up high but good breeze protection down low where they are. It also helps to acclimatize them, get them used to cold weather. It can be a pain but if you can take them outside for short periods of time that will help acclimatize them. It would be nice if you could keep them in a cool or even cold place and just provide a warm place for them to go to when they need to warm up. A broody hen can raise her chicks even with snow on the ground, the chicks can handle cold pretty well if they have a place to warm up. That outbuilding may be a real good choice.
Good luck and once again,