I am new to backyardchickens although i have read the blog since last year. I used my allowance to buy chickens in high school and had some when a young mother. Today i am retired and enjoyed returning to be a chicken mom. I started hatching eggs this spring too and love this additional way to extend my flock. Backyardchickens has really helped me get back into the groove. North-central Wisconsin is a winter challenge. I will be looking for winter quarters improvement over this last year.